U.S. Gulf: Price ideas on sulfuric acid vessels imported to the Gulf of Mexico were quoted in the $40-$45/mt CFR range, unchanged from the previous week. Last-done Brazil was called $45-$50/mt CFR. Both markets were traced to $5-$10/mt FOB pricing reported at smelters located in Northwest Europe. Chile was called $40-$45/mt CFR.
In the domestic markets, sellers noted sales in the $80-$90/t DEL range for Midwest tons, and firming predicted for first-half 2017 in the West Coast market has yet to nudge prices from the last-reported $100-$110/t DEL level. Material destined for Gulf delivery fell in an $85-$95/t DEL range.
U.S. Imports: Imports were up two percent in December, to 307,122 st from the year-ago 301,212 st. They were off 13 percent for July-December, however, to 1.78 million st from 2.04 million st.