Brazil exported 745,300 mt of slab in October, 45 percent more than in September and an all- time monthly record, according to the country’s ministry of industry, foreign trade and services (MDIC).
ArcelorMittal Tubarao was the top exporter (292,700 mt at $439/mt), followed by Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem (210,700 mt at $421/mt), Ternium Brazil (204,900 mt at $432/mt) and Gerdau Acominas (37,000 mt at $405/mt), all FOB conditions, with price deals probably closed in August.
The main destinations were the US (247,800 mt), Turkey (210,500 mt) and the EU (175,700 mt), while 78,200 mt were shipped to Latin America and 28,700 mt to Canada.
Slab of the basic commercial grades remains offered for export from Brazil in a price range of $480/mt to $490/mt, FOB conditions.
According to a local exporter, fresh deals are being postponed to the end of the month, as buyers are trying to push prices to a range around $450/mt FOB.