According to sources, Brazilian slab exporters are negotiating the last deals for shipments in January at $613/mt, FOB conditions for the basic commercial grades.
Such range compares to a range of $605/mt to $630/mt last week, under the same conditions, still reflecting reduced volumes available for export from Brazil, coupled with increased demand, chiefly from the US.
There is a confirmed report of a deal closed last week for a sale to the US at $650/mt, FOB conditions, but it is not clear if such price includes quality extras above the basic commercial grades.
One of the main slab exporters maintains plans to increase production in December, to meet the demand for shipments in February.
Preliminary numbers for November remain pointing to slab exports in line with the 710,700 mt exported in October, while no slab imports were registered during the first three weeks of the month.