Brazilian export slab prices with the basic commercial grades as reference are currently around $425/mt, FOB conditions, a source from a local exporter told SteelOrbis, reflecting a continuing stable trend.
Sources tell SteelOrbis the stability is attributed to the return of China as an importer of the product from Brazil, after one year out of the market.
The source also mentioned a small tonnage order was sold for more than $430/mt, but it is considered an outlier deal.
In Brazil, ThyssenKrupp CSA, Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem and ArcelorMittal Tubarao are the only slab producers effectively participating in the merchant slab market, as Usiminas became an importer of the product after the closure of crude steel production at its Cubatão plant and Gerdau is focusing on processing internally its slabs at the Ouro Branco plant, while CSN does not export slabs as a long term marketing strategy.
In February, for price deals probably closed in December, Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem (CSP) exported slabs at $354/mt, ArcelorMittal Tubarao exported at $414/mt and ThyssenKrupp CSA exported at $389/mt, all FOB conditions.
