The price of ex-Brazil 65 percent iron sinter feed fines has reached $245/mt today, CFR China conditions, against $234/mt on May 7, $239/mt on May 8, and $243/mt on May 9.
According to analysts, the uptrend reflects higher steel prices not only in China but in regions around the world, coupled with fears of undersupply of steel raw materials, including iron ore, coal and coke.
The reference price for ex-Brazil lumps now is $279/mt and $309/mt for blast furnace grade pellets, against $268/mt and $298/mt, respectively, on May 7.
In the Brazilian domestic market, the prices are estimated at $215/mt for the high-grade ore, $249/mt for lumps and 279/mt for pellets, ex-works, no taxes included, against $201/mt, $235/mt and $265/mt, respectively, on May 7.
The premium of the Brazilian high-grade ore over the Australian 62 percent iron contents has declined to 8.9 percent from 10.4 percent previously, when considering the iron units of these ores. Such indicators reflect the demand for products that are processed with lower emissions in blast furnaces.