The price of Brazilian high-grade iron ore, 65 percent iron contents, is $145/mt today, against $141/mt on November 28, CFR China conditions.
The price has consistently increased during the week, with a peak today reflecting the release of data on the Chinese industrial activity of November that indicates a higher-than-expected increase, leading to a higher volume of purchase orders.
The Brazilian high-grade product has now a premium of 4.2 percent in relation to the 62 percent Australian iron ore, against 4.5 percent previously, which still reflects strong interest for high grade iron ore products and their higher productivity in blast furnaces.
The export price of blast furnace grade pellets is now estimated at $167/mt, CFR China, against $163/mt previously, reflecting a stable premium ascribed to the product in relation to the equivalent sinter feed fines.
In the Brazilian domestic market, the prices are estimated at $116/mt for the iron ore and $138/mt for the pellets, stable from November 28, ex-works, no taxes included.
Such prices were negatively affected by higher sea freight rates, as domestic prices are based on the equivalent FOB prices, having China as reference.
In November, Brazil exported an estimated combined 31.66 million mt of iron ore and pellets, against 33.81 million mt in October.