Brazilian sheet steel producers are negotiating HRC exports with their South American clients at a reference price of $1,000/mt, against $1,050/mt two weeks ago, FOB conditions for the basic commercial grades.
In October, Brazil exported 121,800mt of HRC, while importing 18,300mt of the product, against 77,600mt and 27,400mt, respectively, in September.
The exports of October were from ArcelorMittal (67,000mt at $956/mt), CSN (42,700mt at $1,197/mt), Usiminas (11,200mt at $506/mt) and Gerdau (900mt at $450/mt), FOB conditions. Prices from Usiminas and Gerdau probably are not linked to market conditions.
The destinations for export HRC were Europe (114,400mt at $1,031/mt), Argentina (6,400mt at $434/mt) and China (1,000mt at $450/mt).
The imports were almost entirely from China, at an average of $849/mt, also FOB conditions.
In the Brazilian domestic market, HRC of the basic commercial grades is being offered at BRL6,500/mt ($1,190/mt), stable in BRL from two weeks ago, ex-works conditions, no taxes included. Such price refers to high and medium sized volumes of the product, when sold directly to large consumers or to distributors.
USD= BRL5.46 (November 15)