According to sources, Brazilian producers are negotiating slab export deals for the last shipments in April having $660/mt, FOB conditions for the basic commercial grades, as the reference price.
The price compares to $670/mt last week, in a decline reflecting slab prices affected by lower HRC prices in the US.
At least one Brazilian producer has effectively closed a deal at $660/mt for shipment in April.
In January, Brazil exported 575,400 mt of slab, in average at $605/mt, FOB conditions, while imported 22,400 mt at $462/mt, both FOB conditions.
Preliminary numbers for February now point to expectations of a volume of slab exported for the whole month declining from the volume of January, while so far one import cargo of slab, 46,700 mt at $582/mt, FOB conditions, has cleared customs in a Brazilian port.