Brazilian exporters remain negotiating slab 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 is stable over one week, the source said, adding that such stability reflects chiefly the carnival holiday period when fresh deals were not closed, although rumors indicate that at least one such deal was closed at $550/mt FOB.
The uptrend reflects the lack of material for the supply in April, as producers are already negotiating for the supply in 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.