Brazil exported 218,300 mt of slab in April, 66 percent less than in March and the lowest monthly volume in recent years, according to the country’s ministry of industry, foreign trade and services, MDIC.
The average price in April increased by 2.6 percent to $434/mt FOB. The decline reflects reduced volumes shipped from local producers: Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem exported 76 percent less, 66,100 mt at $403/mt; ArcelorMittal Tubarao, down 59 percent to 84,000 mt at $457/mt; while ThyssenKrupp CSA exported 57 percent less, 68,200 mt at $435/mt, all FOB conditions with price deals probably closed in February.
The decline also reflects reduced shipments in terms of destination: exports to the US decline 47 percent to 153,900 mt, while exports to the EU declined 4 percent to 64,400 mt.
Sources from two different local exporters told SteelOrbis the sharp reduction could also reflect the failure by customs to include some exports, or even the postponement to May of exports originally expected for April.