Iron ore is an important product in the Brazilian exports. In this sense, this article aims to analyze the behavior of Brazilian exports of iron ore, from 2000 to 2008, using the Revealed Regional Orientation Index, Index of Comparative Advantage and Constant Market Share. To calculate the latter indicator, the analysis period was divided into three sub-periods: 2000 to 2002, 2003 to 2005 and 2006 to 2008. The Revealed Comparative Advantage Index showed that the Brazilian ore has been losing international market share and the Regional Orientation Index showed that Brazilian exports are being directed to China. Through the analysis of the Constant-Market-Share, it was observed that the effect which most contributed to the increase in Brazilian exports of iron ore was the growth of world trade, throughout the period analyzed, while the effect destination of exports was negative in the same period and the effect competitiveness was positive only between sub-periods from 2003/2005 to 2006/2008. Based on these results, it can be said that although Brazil has a significant importance in the world trade of iron ore, the country needs to overcome the challenges related to cost-Brazil to become more competitive in this market.
Competitiveness; Iron ore; Regional orientation index; Revealed comparative advantage; Constant-market-share
