The Brazilian slabs exporters are negotiating deals having $505/mt, FOB conditions for the basic commercial grades, as reference, a price stable from last week.
In February, Brazil exported 382,800 mt of slabs, against 586,900 mt in January, according to the foreign trade authority, SECEX.
All the sales of February were destined to the US, shipped by ArcelorMittal Pecem (7,900 mt at $649/mt), ArcelorMittal Tubarão (124,400 mt at $550/mt), and Ternium (48,800 mt at $615/mt and 201,900 mt at $577/mt), all FOB conditions.
According to sources, the exporters gave priority to their clients in the US, in the hope of allowing them to clear customs before the imposition of the higher import tariff, recently announced by the US government.
Meanwhile, Usiminas imported in February 7,000 mt of slabs from Japan at $489/mt, also FOB conditions.