A major Brazilian exporter told SteelOrbis that $400/mt FOB is now the reference price for exports of slab of the basic commercial grades, compared to $370/mt two weeks ago, in an upward trend since $230/mt in December 2015.
Brazil exported 356,000 mt of slab in April, 13 percent less than March, at an average FOB price slightly decreased to $239/mt, said the country’s ministry of development, industry and foreign trade, MDIC.
ArcelorMittal was the top exporter with 216,300 mt at $235/mt, followed by ThyssenKrupp CSA (100,700 mt at $249/mt) and Gerdau (39,000 mt at $234/mt), all FOB conditions at price deals probably closed in February.
The main destination was the US (156,100 mt), followed by Asia (85,800 mt), the EU (60,700 mt), Mexico (39,000 mt) and Canada (14,300 mt).