Brazilian slab producers are negotiating exports to the US in a range of $590/mt to $600/mt, FOB conditions for the product of the basic commercial grades, against $590/mt over the last two weeks, a market source SteelOrbis.
The source added that there are expectations of an upward trend for prices to the US, while for exports the EU the last reference price was $540/mt.
In May, Brazilian exports of slab reached 311,000 mt, against 486,300 mt in April, in a decline ascribed chiefly to a two-week strike by truck drivers during the month.
The exporters were Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem (158,400 mt at $516/mt), ArcelorMittal Tubarao (91,200 mt at $549/mt) and Ternium Brazil (61,400 mt at $548/mt), all FOB conditions with price deals probably closed in March.
The destinations were the US (75,800 mt at $553/mt), Turkey (55,600 mt at $517/mt), Mexico (51,600 mt at $498/mt), Poland (51,200 mt at $553/mt), Germany (47,600 mt at $532/mt) and Canada (29,200 mt at $562/mt), all FOB conditions.