The Brazilian slabs reference export price remained stable week-on-week at $577 per metric ton (mt) FOB, for basic commercial grades, amid the same market conditions seen in recent weeks, and ongoing competition between domestic and export demand, market insiders told SteelOrbis.
Market participants remain optimistic about the possibility that imports of HRC from China could become subject to antidumping duties as early as August. Chinese HRC has already been deemed to be sold at dumped prices by the relevant authorities. As a result, expectations are growing for an increase in Brazilian slab export prices, as demand for slabs is likely to rise as feedstock for domestic HRC production, replacing part of the imported volume.
The reference price remains among the highest levels recorded over the past year, following a peak of $605/mt reached in April 2026.
Preliminary data from Secex, the foreign trade secretariat of the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, continue to indicate that Brazil's slab exports in July are likely to match the 642,200 mt shipped in June.
