For the second consecutive week, Brazilian producers are negotiating slab of the basic commercial grades for export in a price range of $540/mt to $550/mt FOB, a local exporter told SteelOrbis.
The source mentioned that prices are expected to increase again in the coming weeks, due to shortage of material for delivery in the short term, as producers are negotiating the supply for May.
In January, Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem exported slab at $447/mt, Ternium Brazil exported at $481/mt, and ArcelorMittal Tubarao exported at $486/mt, all FOB conditions, with price deals probably closed in November 2017.
Preliminary indications by the Brazilian customs authorities point to a decline, in February, from the 573,000 mt of slab exported in January.