According to sources, Brazilian slab exporters are negotiating deals for shipments in January in a range of $605/mt to $630/mt, FOB conditions for the basic commercial grades.
That range compares to a reference of $532/mt last week, under the same conditions, in an increase reflecting chiefly reduced volumes available for export from Brazil, coupled with increased demand, chiefly from the US.
There are reports of deals closed for shipments to the US at $640/mt, FOB conditions, while one of the main exporters is planning to increase slabs production in December, to meet the demand for shipments in February.
Preliminary numbers of November point to slabs exports in line with the 710,700 mt exported in October, while no slabs imports were registered during the first two weeks of the month.
