Integrated steel producers are paying $40.50/mt for sinter feed fines of 65 percent iron contents, FOB conditions, no taxes included, a company source told SteelOrbis.
The price compares to an average of $39.00/mt last week, reflecting the alterations in the Chinese spot market.
He added that lumps price changed to $44.50/mt from $43/mt last week, while the price of pellets remains at $69/mt, both FOB conditions.
According to an exporter, sinter feed fines of 65 percent iron contents are exported FOB conditions from Brazil at $56.50/mt, slightly increased in one week, reflecting an increase of the spot price in China, coupled to stable Brazil-China logistics costs.
He mentioned that iron ore prices are extremely volatile in the Chinese spot market, reflecting speculation by traders, rather than traditional stocks and supply-demand balance indicators.