The reference price for the export of slabs from Brazil has reached $498/mt, FOB conditions for the basic commercial grades, comparable to $490/mt last week and $485/mt along the previous six consecutive weeks.
The second small increase is in line with expectations of the Brazilian slabs producers, as the timeline for the resumption of negotiations between Brazilian and US authorities is maintained.
Producers maintain perspective for smaller price increases along the next weeks.
Advanced data unveiled by SECEX for the first three weeks of January remain pointing to a stable volume of slabs exports from Brazil, for the total of the month, in relation to the 762,400 mt exported in December.
Average export price in January remains $503/mt, FOB including quality extras.