Brazilian slab producers are still adopting $320/mt, FOB conditions, as the base price for the negotiations for export of slab of the basic commercial grades.
It is the third week of stability for a price that was in a downtrend since a peak of $400/mt was achieved in early May.
Two local sources offered slightly different views to SteelOrbis: one said that the current price is a limit, below which producers would incur in negative margins, while the other source mentioned that a small price reduction is not out of the question, but in this case the price they pay for raw materials, chiefly iron ore and coal would have to be reduced.
In June, ArcelorMittal Tubarao exported its slabs in average at $301/mt, ThyssenKrupp CSA at $318/mt and Gerdau Acominas at $259/mt, FOB conditions, with price deals probably closed in April.