S America flat steel import mart shows cloudy

摘要

South American import prices for flat-rolled steel had no clear trend during the week to Friday July 9 amid volatile freight rates and with September-shipment negotiations yet to gain traction, market participants told Fastmarkets. There was additional uncertainty stemming from expectations of a change in value-added tax rebates and the introduction of an export tax, both in China. While the majority of sources reported freight from China to South America to be at $90-100 per tonne, others said $130-140 per tonne. Some also heard freight for Chinese heavy plate shipped to the Pacific coast was at $110-155 per tonne.