Brazil exported 630,000 mt of slabs in May, against 218,300 mt in April, said the local ministry of industry, foreign trade and services, MDIC.
The average FOB price declined by 3 percent to $421/mt, with Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem exporting 311,700 mt at $410/mt, ArcelorMittal Tubarao 150,600 mt at $431/mt, ThyssenKrupp CSA 119,300 mt at $446/mt and Gerdau Acominas 48,000 mt at $393/mt, all FOB conditions with price deals probably closed in March.
The US was the main destination (323,700 mt), followed by Latin America (174,300 mt, of which 140,000 mt to Mexico), and Asia (100,700 mt).
According to a local exporter, current slab export deals remain closed in a FOB price range of $400/mt to $405/mt, with reference to the basic commercial grades.
The source mentioned that part of the sharp increase of the volume exported in May reflects exports originally set for April, but registered in May by customs authorities.