Brazil exported 4,092 mt of niobium ferroalloys in November, 31 percent less than in October, at an average FOB price increased by 1.7 percent to $22,468/mt, according to the ministry of development, industry and foreign trade.
CBMM, the world’s largest niobium producer, exported 3,314 mt, less 37.8 percent month-on-month, at $22,294/mt, while the local arm of Anglo American exported 25.4 percent more in November, 736 mt, at $23.520/mt, both FOB conditions.
The reduced volume reflects mainly exports to the Netherlands, where CBMM has a distribution center to serve EU clients, declining by 70 percent to 531 mt. Exports to the US reduced by 51 percent to 419 mt, exports to Japan reduced by 73 percent to 240 mt and exports to Singapore reduced by 17 percent to 750 mt.
On the upside, exports to China increased by 55 percent to 1,550 mt and exports to Russia increased threefold to 360 mt.
A source from a Brazilian slab producer told SteelOrbis that he is still buying from CBMM niobium ferroalloys in a price range of $20,400/mt to $21,300/mt, CFR full taxes conditions, stable in the last three months.
Usually associated to extreme applications in high technology sectors, the demand for niobium ferroalloys is used as a proxy to the performance of these sectors.