The price of the Brazilian high-grade iron ore, 65 percent iron contents, is $121/mt today, CFR China, against $113/mt on March 15.
According to sources, the increase reflects the interest in iron ore restocking among integrated steel producers in China, following the release of optimistic data about the Chinese economy, including investments in fixed assets in January and February increasing by 4.2 percent on yearly basis, against expectations of 3.2 percent.
Such increase in fixed assets, according to analysts, is expected to impact the demand for steel products, and for iron ore as consequence.
The export price of blast furnace grade pellets is now $134/mt, against $127/mt previously, reflecting a stable 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 6.6 percent, against 7.5 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 $86/mt for the iron ore and $100/mt for the pellets, against respectively $79/mt and $93/mt previously, ex-works, no taxes included.