Brazilian slab exporters are negotiating the product of the basic commercial grades for export in a price range of $540/mt to $550/mt, FOB conditions, a local market source told SteelOrbis.
The price compares with a range last week of $535/mt to $550/mt, although sources say $535/mt is no longer considered for negotiations.
There is still material reportedly available for delivery in April, but the volume is small, as exporters are dealing with deliveries in May, a factor that is pushing prices in an uptrend that could last for the next few weeks, sources say.
In January, Brazil exported 573,100 mt of slab, 6.0 percent less than in December, at an average FOB price reduced by 4.6 percent to $470/mt, FOB conditions.
Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem exported 205,900 mt at $447/mt, Ternium Brazil exported 198,000 mt at $481/mt and ArcelorMittal Tubarao exported 169,200 mt at $486/mt, all FOB conditions, with price deals probably closed in November 2017.
The main destinations were the US (307,300 mt), the EU (151,800 mt) and Asian countries (90,800 mt), while 23,000 mt was shipped to Canada.