Despite a recent round of price increases that were announced by Brazilian flat rolled steel mills, HRC of the basic commercial grade continues to sell within the domestic market at BRL3,400/mt, ($1,015/mt), FOB full taxes except IPI, equivalent to $760/mt FOB no taxes included, with small price variations among CSN, Usiminas, ArcelorMittal and Gerdau.
So far in the year, the domestic price of HRC increased by 35 percent in average, with impact on imports, which increased for the third consecutive month to reach 9,000 mt in June.