The Brazilian producers are negotiating HRC exports with their South American clients at a reference price of $860/mt, stable from two weeks ago, FOB conditions for the basic commercial grades.
In the Brazilian domestic market, HRC of the basic commercial grades is sold by producers, in medium to large volumes, at BRL 5,300/mt ($1,027/mt), stable from two weeks ago, ex-works, no taxes included, still with indications that planned price rises were temporarily cancelled, while the effect of the recently approved system of quotas for import and higher import taxes is under evaluation by players.
In April, Brazil exported 21,900 mt of HRC, while imported 52,000 mt of the product.
The exports were destined to the US (13,900 mt at $806/mt) and to South American countries (8,000 mt at $691/mt), FOB conditions.
The exporters were CSN (10,800 mt at $807/mt), ArcelorMittal (6,800 mt at $664/mt), Usiminas (3,800 mt at $839/mt) and Gerdau (500 mt at $634/mt).
The imports were from China (33,700 mt at $562/mt), Venezuela (17,700 mt at $513/mt), South Korea (300 mt at $882/mt), and the US (300 mt at $576/mt), also FOB conditions.
The import declared as from Venezuela probably includes a deviation of origin, as the country currently has no production capacity of HRC.
USD = BRL 5.16 (May 13)