A major exporter in Brazil told SteelOrbis that newest negotiations slab export offers are now $340/mt, FOB conditions.
Applying to the product of the basic commercial grades, the new price compares to $330/mt last week and is the new peak of an upward trend started in December at $230/mt FOB.
According to the source, the higher price reflects an overall increase of steel prices in the international markets, adding that slab prices should increase again over the next weeks: “There are indications that slab prices have already exceeded $350/mt in the merchant slab market,” he said.
In March, ThyssenKrupp CSA exported its slabs at $246/mt, ArcelorMittal Tubarao at $240/mt and Gerdau Acominas at $234/mt, all FOB conditions, with price deals probably closed in January.