According to sources, the negotiations for Brazilian slab exports, for shipments in January, remain framed by a FOB range of $530/mt to $550/mt, the same as last week, FOB conditions.
The stability reflects the fact that Brazilian producers are very close to production costs at this price level, which is threatening margins, while the domestic market remains as an alternative for sales, despite the reduction of volumes being acquired by Usiminas and CSN.
At least one slab exporter has already concluded its sales for January shipment, with negotiations for shipments in February set to start in two weeks.