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.

Weak demand of steel products continued to weigh down on iron ore prices in China, forcing dealers to stockpile inventories, the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) said Tuesday.

One of the longest losing streaks for the price of iron ore may have come to an end on Friday last week, but the recent rout does not appear over yet.