Brazilian exports of tinplate reached 11,100 mt in August, 3.4 percent less than in July, according to the country’s ministry of development, industry and foreign trade MDIC.
The main destinations were Latin America (6,800 mt), Europe (2,600 mt) and Africa (1,755 mt).
The average FOB price went up by 15.8 percent to $1,164/mt, pushed by exports to Latin American countries at an average price of $1,352/mt, while exports to Europe were at $951/mt and to Africa at $746/mt.
All tinplate exports in August were of product having 0.5mm diameter or less.
The sole producer of tinplate in Brazil, CSN, has 1 million metric tons of yearly capacity, but the company saves the lion’s share of the output to serve the domestic market, where prices are far more attractive.
An industry source told SteelOrbis that the product is currently being sold in the domestic market at BRL3,600/mt to BRL 3,800/mt ($1551/mt to $1637/mt), FOB, taxes included, roughly stable in BRL terms over one month.