Brazil exported 593,200 mt of slabs in January, 20 percent more than in December 2016, at an average FOB price increased by 4.8 percent to $354/mt.
The volume exported in January was the highest since September 2015, reflecting efforts by the local steel industry to find alternative markets to replace the lackluster demand from the domestic market.
ArcelorMittal Tubarao exported slab in January at an average price of $367/mt, Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem at $324/mt, ThyssenKrupp CSA at $378/mt and Gerdau Ouro Branco at $335/mt, all FOB conditions, with price deals probably closed in November 2016.
The main destinations were the US (273,200 mt at $370/mt), the EU (178,000 mt at $338/mt), Turkey (95,400 mt at $347/mt) and Asia (46,500 mt at $333/mt), all FOB conditions.