A source linked to a Brazilian slab producer told SteelOrbis that the company is paying the equivalent $41/mt for sinter feed fines of 65 percent iron content, FOB, no taxes included.
The source mentioned that prices are showing high volatility, derived from the movement of prices in the Chinese spot market, which is the base for calculation of the domestic prices.
According to the source, iron ore pellets are commanding a premium of $31/mt over sinter feed fines, reaching $72/mt, while lumps are traded at $45/mt (all FOB conditions, no taxes).
The most recent FOB prices for export of Brazilian iron ore are estimated at $46/mt for the sinter feed fines, $55/mt for lumps and $78/mt for blast furnace grade pellets.
The country’s export figures for April indicate iron ore shipments (pellets excluded) declined from March by 5.9 percent to 26.52 million mt, while pellet exports increased by 15 percent to 2.46 million mt.