The price of the Brazilian high-grade iron ore, 65 percent iron contents, is now $111/mt, against $110/mt on April 18, CFR China.
Such price has been roughly stable since April 10.
The price is still negatively impacted by US-China trade uncertainties, but a slight weekly gain shows strong short-term iron ore demand in China as steel producers replenish stocks before the May holidays.
The export price of blast furnace grade pellets is now $124/mt, against $123/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 now 7.0 percent, against 7.2 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 now $86/mt for the ore and $99/mt for the pellets against respectively $85/mt and $98/mt previously, ex-works, no taxes included.