According to sources, Brazilian slab exporters are negotiating deals for shipments in January at $535/mt, FOB conditions for the basic commercial grades, against $530/mt on October 31.
At least one exporter currently has no material available for export, due to the domestic shortage of slab, reflecting the delay of the restart of one large blast furnace at the Usiminas Ipatinga plant.
In October, Brazil exported 710,700 mt and imported 65,900 mt of slab, against respectively 497,100 mt and 21,700 mt in September.
In October, Ternium exported 289,400 mt of slab at $688/mt to the US, ArcelorMittal Tubarão exported 153,800 mt at $567/mt to the US, 25,300 mt at $559/mt to Germany, 20,400 mt at $538/mt to France and 16,600 mt at $563/mt to Canada, while ArcelorMittal Pecem exported 105,700 mt at $609/mt to the US and 79,800 mt at $642/mt to Mexico, and Gerdau exported 19,700 mt at $705/mt to Canada.
The imports were 41,600 mt at $563/mt from Vietnam to CSN and 24,300 mt at $514/mt from Japan to Usiminas.