According to statistics, the global iron ore exports totaled 1.05 billion in 2011, soaring substantially by 48% in comparison of 710 million tons in 2005.
Among them, the iron ore exports from Australia and Brazil surged by 83% and 48% respectively.
In 2011, Australia remains as the world's largest iron ore exports with 440,000 tons; Brazil was the second largest one with 330 million tons and South Africa was the third largest one with 53.34 million tons.
Meanwhile, India's iron ore exports decreased obviously to 39.69 million tons in 2011 from 70.54 million tons in 2010, caused by the government's ban on iron ore exports.