Net sales increased by 14 percent to $9.258 billion, while production costs increased by 13 percent to $6.173 billion. Gross profit decreased by 16 percent to $3.085 billion, while operating profit increased by 32 percent to $2.375 billion.
In the first quarter of 2026, Vale's iron ore business accounted for 61 percent of the company's net sales revenue, while iron ore pellets were equivalent to 11 percent and other iron ore minerals accounted for 1 percent. Other Vale regions, including copper and nickel, accounted for 26 percent.
In terms of destinations, net sales to Asia accounted for 64 percent of the total, of which 47 percent came from China, followed by Europe (17 percent), South America (9 percent), North America (5 percent) and the Middle East (2 percent), while Other areas accounted for 2 percent.
Sales of iron ore fines In the first quarter of 2026, sales reached 59.436 million tons, while sales of pellets reached 7.699 million tons and ordinary pellets reached 1.578 million tons.
The average FOB prices achieved during the quarter were US$95.8 per tonne for small change and US$133.8 per tonne for pellets, respectively, an increase of 6 percent and a decrease of 5 percent compared to the first quarter. 2025.
