Exports of slabs by Brazilian producers reached 431,600 mt in March, a 36 percent increase from February, thanks to exports to the US increasing by 214 percent to 280,000 mt. Exports to Asian countries declined by 10 percent to 82,200 mt and exports to the EU went down by 34 percent to 39,400 mt, while 30,000 mt was shipped to Africa, against no exports in February.
The average FOB export price went down by 2.8 percent to $414/mt, with exports by ArcelorMittal Tubarao at $394/mt FOB, by ThyssenKrupp CSA at $425/mt FOB and by Gerdau Acominas at $437/mt FOB.
In volume, ThyssenKrupp CSA exported 212,800 mt, ArcelorMittal Tubarao exported 169,700 mt and Gerdau Acominas 49,000 mt.
A major exporter told SteelOrbis that his last export deal for slab of the basic commercial grades was closed at FOB $330/mt, compared to $340/mt FOB two weeks ago and $360/mt FOB one month ago, adding that he expects stability of prices over the next months, due to sustained demand from the US and also due to the fact that the current level of prices is already leading to very low margins for producers.