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    Pig iron market quiet as US mills aim to outwait Brazilian suppliers

    Written by Stephen Miller


    The pig iron market in Brazil has been fairly quiet since a US-based steelmaker bought two cargoes earlier this month, according to market participants.

    Recall SMU reported that two cargoes of 50,000 metric tonnes (mt) each were transacted at $383-385/mt FOB Brazil ($410-412/met CFR New Orleans without tariff).  Since then, there has been just one cargo sold for December shipment to the US at $385/mt FOB, they said.

    Stephen Miller

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