SÃO PAULO — Brazilian iron ore exports increased 35.5 percent year on year in January, the country’s foreign trade ministry said Feb. 1.

Exports totaled about 24.56 million tonnes, up from 18.18 million tonnes in the same month last year.

Brazil’s iron ore exports in January 2012 had been severely affected by reduced demand from China and the European Union, as well as heavy rains in the southeastern part of the country.

Export revenue totaled $2.25 billion in January, up from $1.83 billion a year earlier.

Iron ore prices averaged $91.60 per tonne f.o.b. last month, down from $100.90 per tonne a year earlier.

On a monthly basis, Brazilian iron ore exports fell 23.5 percent in January from 32.25 million tonnes in December 2012, according to the ministry. Export revenue declined 19.9 percent from $2.81 billion in the same comparison.