Russia exported some 9.76 million tons of iron ore during the first five months, decreasing by 9.1% year on year.

According to statistics, UK’s iron ore imports during the first five months reached 4.672 million tons, down by 3.3% or 158,000 tons on the prior comparable period.

Japan imported 10.47 million tons of iron ore in June, a decrease of 2.7% compared to the same month of last year, according to statistics released by Japan’s Ministry of Finance.

According to data released by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, the country’s iron ore exports totaled 23.65 million tons in May, decreasing by 0.76% from the same month a year ago.

Prices of imported iron ore at 33 major Chinese ports have continued a downward trend due to a sharp decline in the price of steel, a report showed Tuesday.

Stockpiles of imported iron ore at 33 major Chinese ports rose 0.78 percent over the week ending Nov 24 following a week of low demand, Xinhua's latest economic report showed Tuesday.

China's outbound investment in mining assets rose 83 percent to $24.8 billion last year on the back of the nation's growing appetite for commodities, industry experts said on Monday.

China's iron ore imports are set to rise to around 900 million metric tons this year, a 15 percent year-on-year growth, on the back of the country's growing steel production base and higher output capacity of overseas mining giants, experts said on Friday.