Sources told SteelOrbis that one Brazilian slab exporter has closed a deal with a client in Europe at $700/mt, FOB conditions, for a medium-sized volume and shipment in August.
The same exporter has reportedly closed a deal with a plate mill in the US, for a small volume, at $750/mt, under the same conditions, ending the current round of negotiations for shipments in August, as only marginal volumes are still available for that period. SteelOrbis has learned that this was the only export deal closed by a Brazilian slab producer for an export to the US and shipment in August.
As SteelOrbis previously reported, sales to the US by Brazilian slab exporters were focused on plate mills, as HRC producers were reluctant to close fresh slab acquisitions due to uncertainties regarding the future demand and prices of HRC; for plate, however, demand and prices were viewed as more foreseeable.
Negotiations for shipments in September are expected to start next week, although at least one of the exporters has mentioned that this could be delayed by one or two weeks.