The Brazilian high-grade iron ore (65% Fe) is priced at $120/mt, unchanged from last week, CFR China.
Iron ore prices are pressured by blast furnace maintenance stoppages and high port inventories in China, while a slight drop in iron ore arrivals at the country offers minimal support.
The export price of blast furnace grade pellets is now $138/mt, against $139/mt previously, CFR China, reflecting a stable premium relative to equivalent sinter feed fines.
The premium for Brazilian high-grade ore, containing 65 percent iron, relative to Australian 62 percent iron ore, based on their iron units, is 7.6 percent, against 7.8 percent previously, remaining low in historical terms.
In the Brazilian domestic market, reference prices are now $95/mt for the ore and $113/mt for pellets, against respectively $95/mt and $114/mt previously, ex-works and excluding taxes.