The price of the Brazilian high-grade iron ore, 65 percent iron contents, is $117/mt today, against $112/mt on November 15, CFR China.
According to analysts, the increase is supported by a weaker US Dollar, and by the restart of iron ore acquisitions by the Chinese steel producers to serve their production in January.
Commodities priced in a weaker US Dollar become attractive for the acquisition by customers having other currencies.
The export price of blast furnace grade pellets is $133/mt against $119/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 9.8 percent against 10.7 percent previously, still reflecting increased 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 $92/mt for the iron ore and $108/mt for the pellets against respectively $87/mt and $104/mt previously, ex-works, no taxes included.
Preliminary numbers from customs remain pointing to a combined volume of iron ore and pellets, in November, lower than the 35.27 million mt exported from Brazil in October.