The price of the Brazilian high-grade iron ore, 65 percent iron contents, is $109/mt today, against $106/mt on 16 August, CFR China.
Regardless of the increase, the price of the high-grade ore still reflects the volatility of the market as persistent doubts remain about the perspectives of the demand for the product, amid the lack of consistent incentives to the economy by the Chinese authorities.
The export price of blast furnace grade pellets is now $126/mt, CFR China, against $123/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, when considering their iron units, is 10.3 percent against 10.8 percent previously, 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 $81/mt for the iron ore and $98/mt for the pellets against respectively $78/mt and $95/mt previously, ex-works, no taxes included.
Preliminary numbers for August remain pointing to a volume of combined iron ore and pellets exports reduced from the 39.17 million mt exported in July.