The price of Brazilian high-grade iron ore, 65 percent iron contents, is $131/mt today, CFR China, against $127/mt on April 23.
The increase reportedly reflects a higher average daily production of crude steel in China for the fourth consecutive week. According to sources, iron ore prices are expected to remain in a slight uptrend until the holidays of May 1.
The export price of blast furnace grade pellets is now $144/mt, against $139/mt previously, 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, is now 6.2 percent, against 6.6 percent previously, still reflecting the interest 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 prices are estimated at $101mt for the iron ore and $114/mt for the pellets, against respectively $98/mt and $110/mt previously, ex-works, no taxes included.
In April, the combined iron ore and pellets exports from Brazil are expected to exceed the 26.6 million mt exported in March.
