Hoa Phat Group, the largest steel maker in Vietnam, exported over 20,000 tonnes of construction steel in April, up 17 percent year-on-year.

The average capacity utilisation was clocked at 38% for April 2020, the company said in a statement.

Import prices for flat-rolled steel into South America were steady to slightly higher during the past week.

Concerns about Brazilian iron ore supply resurfaced among market participants this past week.

"Moreover, we intend to export 5,000-8,000 tonnes of ferro-silicon this year to North America."

Automotive production in Brazil plunged in April due to massive shutdowns stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Japan's manufacturing sector is beginning a slow return to normal after Tokyo today eased Covid-19 restrictions in parts of the country.

Tehran has imposed new limits on exports of Iranian steel, requiring exporters to secure export permission from the ministry of industry, mine and trade.