The price of the Brazilian high-grade iron ore, 65 percent iron contents, is $115/mt today, down from $117/mt on December 18, CFR China.
Maintaining an oscillating pattern in the period, the evolution of the prices reflects, in the positive side, expectations for another surge of iron ore restocking by the Chinese steel producers, while high iron ore stocks in the country's ports, coupled to concerns about demand for the ore in 2025 are negatively affecting the prices.
The export price of blast furnace grade pellets is $132/mt, against $133/mt previously, CFR China, reflecting the same premium ascribed to the product in relation to the equivalent sinter feed fines.
The premium of the Brazilian high-grade ore, in relation to the Australian 62 percent iron ore when considering their iron units, is 8.4 percent against 8.2 percent previously, reflecting the interest, at such price level, by the integrated steel producers for the higher productivity and lower emissions of the premium ores when processed in blast furnaces.
In the Brazilian domestic market, the reference prices are $96/mt for the iron ore and $112/mt for the pellets against respectively $98/mt and $114/mt previously, ex-works, no taxes included.
In November, Brazil exported 31.60 million mt of iron ore (pellets excluded) and 2.07 million mt of pellets.
Preliminary numbers remain pointing to lower volumes being exported from Brazil in December.