[SMM Iron & Steel] Brazilian Slab Exports Plunge 43% in May 2026 Amid Strong Domestic Demand

Published: Jun 9, 2026 17:53

Save

Brazil's slab export volumes fell sharply to 390,500 metric tons (mt) in May 2026, a 43% decline from 687,500 mt in April. Key shipments included 236,300 mt by Ternium to the US at $614/mt FOB, and ArcelorMittal sending 93,800 mt to the US ($646/mt FOB) and 60,400 mt to France ($556/mt FOB). The significant contraction in export availability is driven by intense domestic consumption from local rolling mills, specifically Usiminas and CSN, as they ramp up flat steel production to replace Chinese imports following the imposition of anti-dumping duties in February. Additionally, zero slab imports were recorded at Brazilian ports in May, emphasizing a tightly balanced internal market.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

1 hour ago

[SMM Ningbo HRC Inventory] Ningbo Inventory Continues Destocking

This week, the large-sample inventory of Ningbo HRC stood at 362,000 mt, down 23,000 mt WoW (-5.97%), and up 24.23% YoY on a lunar calendar basis.

1 hour ago

Common.Time.hoursAgo

6.00 SMM Global Steel Daily Report

[Turkey] Dragged down by market weakness, Turkish domestic rebar prices edged down by 1 USD/tonne to 591.5 USD/tonne EXW. As the depreciation of the lira continues to push up local currency costs, domestic traders have largely adopted promotional pricing strategies, offloading inventories at levels below mill dollar offers. Although mills attempted to hold prices firm last week, they were forced to compromise amid sluggish demand: some mills in the Marmara region lowered their offers by 5 USD/tonne to 605-610 USD/tonne EXW, while offers from Izmir mills also dropped to 585-590 USD/tonne EXW. On the macroeconomic front, rising costs stemming from geopolitical conflicts and a high-interest-rate environment continue to suppress downstream demand, with the market generally expecting limited room for a summer construction rebound. Export activity remains equally subdued, with EU buyers showing insufficient interest in purchasing Turkish material.

Common.Time.hoursAgo

[SMM HRC Daily Trading Volume] Spot HRC trading improved slightly

[SMM HRC Daily Trading Volume] On June 9, the total daily trading volume of hot-rolled coil among sample enterprises in four SMM cities (Shanghai, Lecong, Tianjin, Ningbo) was 13,000 mt, up 420 mt, or 3.1%, DoD, down 7.60% calendar YoY, and up 30.92% lunar YoY.

Common.Time.hoursAgo