Brazilian slab producers remain negotiating exports to the US in a range of $580/mt to $590/mt, while exports to Europe remain in a range of $540/mt to $560/mt, both FOB conditions for the product of the basic commercial grades, a local market source told SteelOrbis.
According to the source, as the last volumes still considered as “tax-free” under the US Section 232 quota are coming to an end, there is a tendency for slab prices to the US decrease, while the prices for sales to Europe are expected to increase.
Preliminary indications from the country’s customs authorities point to a decrease, in August, from the 545,300 mt of slab exported from Brazil in July.