Steel distributors in Sao Paulo are negotiating HRC for the domestic market in small volumes at BRL 4,233/mt ($1,109/mt), against BRL 4,080/mt four weeks ago. The price refers to the 1008/1012 grades, 3.00mm thickness product, full taxes except IPI conditions. It is usually entitled to significant discounts in case of large volumes or direct acquisition from the producers.
The price increase follows announcements made this week by local producers of sweeping price increases for most steel products. CSN announced a price increase of 15 percent for HRC and CRC, Usiminas announced 10 percent increase for the same products, and Gerdau announced a 14.5 percent increase for HRC, while ArcelorMittal announced a 12.5 percent increase for HRC and a 10 percent increase for CRC.
In February, Brazil imported 11,000 mt of HRC, reportedly from Venezuela, at $584/mt, 600 mt from China at $647/mt, and 600 mt from South Korea at $672/mt, all FOB conditions, with price variances ascribed to differing grades and tonnage levels.
The last offer of HRC received by Brazilian importers from China was priced at $555/mt, against $535/mt, two weeks ago. Such price refers to CFR conditions to ports in the Brazilian south or southeastern coast, having the A36/Q235 grade product as reference.
USD = BRL 3.82 (March 21)
