Exports of heavy rolled products from Brazil increased by 117 percent in April, the United States is still absent from the market.

Brazil exported 11,300 tons of thick sheet in April, up from 5,200 tons in March, according to SECEX, the foreign trade secretariat of the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.

Despite sharply higher levels compared to March, volumes in April remain low compared to the average volumes recorded over the past few months, once again reflecting the absence of the United States as an export destination.

All April exports were destined for South American countries and were shipped by Usiminas (10,700 tons at 559 USD/ton), CSN (300 tons at 842 USD/ton), Gerdau (200 tons at 595 USD/ton) and traders (100 tons at 882 USD/ton). all on FOB terms.

Imports increased by 47 percent to 2,200 tons in April against 1,500 tons in March supplied by China (1,500 tons at $608 per ton), Italy (500 tons at $847 per ton) and Portugal (300 tons at $912 per ton).

The import of rolled steel products to Brazil usually consists of special grades of steel that are not produced domestically because production is economically unprofitable. viable at the required scale.