The price of Brazilian high-grade iron ore, 65 percent iron contents, is $148/mt today, CFR China, against $142/mt on January 22.
According to analysts, the sharp increase in two days, achieving the highest price in two weeks, reflects optimism about efforts by Chinese authorities to reinforce confidence among market players, China’s central bank recently announced that measures will be adopted to increase market liquidness, to improve the structure of the credit and to support the private companies, as well as small companies.
The export price of blast furnace grade pellets is now $163/mt, against $157/mt previously, reflecting a stable 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, is now 4.0 percent, against 4.2 percent previously, still reflecting increased interest by the integrated steel producers for the higher productivity of the premium ores.
In the Brazilian domestic market, the prices are estimated at $121/mt for the iron ore and $136/mt for the pellets, against respectively $117/mt and $132/mt previously, ex-works, no taxes included.