Brazil Slab Exports Fall in 2018

Brazil, the world's second-largest Semi finished exporter, has exported about 7,210,966 MT Slabs in the Calendar year 2018.

The recent SteelMint's statistics report showed, the Slab exports decline by 5.87% Y-o-Y in CY18 against 7,660,334 MT in 2017. Prior to this, in CY17 (Jan-Dec) the Slab export rise by 22.62% as against 6,247,093 MT in 2016.

Further in CY18, the Slab exports by Brazil to Turkey, Germany & Mexico decline by around 17%, 47% & 65% on yearly basis. Inline, it was also learned that no major Slab export recorded for Indonesia as against 331,491 MT a year ago.

During CY18 (Jan-Dec), the most favourable export destination of Brazilian slab was - United States (3,761,381 MT), Turkey (537,710 MT), Canada (416,049 MT) & Dominican Republic (401,675 MT).

And the major export of Slabs were from the ports of Vitoria (2,298,523 MT), Fortaleza Porto (1,922,578 MT) & Itaguai (1,812,907 MT). While approximately 31.88% of exports were done from the port of Vitoria in CY18.

Monthly Analysis

As per the recent released data by Brazilian customs - in Dec'18, Slab export rise by 14.10% M-o-M & stood at 7,210,966 MT as against 641,097 MT in Nov'18, While in on yearly basis, surge by 1.30% against 722,135 MT in Dec'17.

During Dec'18, United States has imported approximately 34.18% (250,041 MT) slabs & continues to remain the largest slab buyer of Brazil. Inline the other largest importer of Brazilian originated slab in the month was South Korea (168,559 MT), Turkey (80,090 MT) & Belgium (50,065 MT).

-- In the month of Nov'18, the crude steel production of Brazil was around 2,843,691 MT and in CY18 (Jan-Nov) it was approximately 31,914,615 MT. Meanwhile, in CY17 the figure of crude steel production stood at 34,396,100 MT, & 30,212,300 MT in CY16, according to the World Steel Association.

-- Brazil Iron ore & pellet export decline by 2.25% M-o-M in Dec'18 & stood at 33,202,915 MT as against 33,966,533 MT in Nov'18

-- The export offers of 150*150 IS 2830 grade billet are currently at USD 415-420/MT FoB India, 150*150 Q235 are at USD 440-450/MT FoB China & 125*125 3sp at USD 395-405/MT FoB Ukraine.