Slab exports by Brazilian producers reached 463,000 mt in May, 62 percent more than in April, at a FOB price 8.6 percent lower, $352/mt, according to the country’s ministry of development, industry and foreign trade, MDIC.
Exports by ThyssenKrupp CSA went up by 303 percent to 247,700 mt at $370/mt FOB, a price 7.5 percent lower, while exports by ArcelorMittal Tubarao went down by 3.7 percent to 215,300 mt at a price 13.1 percent lower, $330/mt FOB.
No exports were registered by slab producers CSN, Usiminas and Gerdau Acominas.
A source linked to a producer told SteelOrbis that slab of the basic commercial grades remain negotiated for export, over the last two months, at $320/mt, FOB conditions, a price that in his view is not sufficient to ensure profitability, unless the sale is made under a long term agreement or is linked to associated companies abroad.
In May, ThyssenKrupp CSA shipped 198,900 mt of slab to the Alabama rolling plant and 48,800 mt to ThyssenKrupp’s operations in Germany, while Tubarao shipped 105,200 mt to Europe, 59,400 mt to the US and 50,600 mt to Asian countries.
1 US$ = BRL 3.13 (June 3)