USA – the world’s fourth-largest importer of ferrous scrap after Turkey, South Korea and India witnessed a rise in scrap imports in Oct’18 amid rising crude steel production in the country. As per customs data, United States imported 427,572 MT ferrous scrap in Oct’18, up 10% M-o-M as against 389,699 MT ferrous scrap in Sept’18.
On yearly premises, US scrap imports increased by 19% Y-o-Y as against 360,422 MT in Oct’17.
Port-wise – Top unloading port for scrap import activities in Oct’18 was Detroit (0.14 MnT) occupying highest 33% share. Followed by other major ports like Seattle (0.08 MnT), New Orleans (0.05 MnT), Buffalo (0.04 MnT) and Charleston (0.03 MnT) occupying 19%, 12%, 9% and 7% share respectively.
Canada remained the largest scrap supplier to United States – Canada remained the largest supplier to USA in Oct’18 occupying 72% share. Canada exported 309,236 MT in Oct’18, down 2% M-o-M as against 315,105 MT in Sept’18.
United Kingdom stepped up at second largest exporter’s position in Oct’18 supplying 47,128 MT ferrous scrap, up significantly as against minor volumes in Sept’18. Mexico remained the third largest exporter supplying 40,943 MT in Oct’18. Netherland imported 28,287 MT as against nil volumes in Sept’18. On the other hand, other prominent suppliers like Sweden and Spain observed a sharp fall in scrap exports to US in Oct’18.
US crude steel production rises 4% in Oct’18 – US crude steel production recorded at 7.571 MnT in Oct’18, up 4% as against 7.255 MnT in Sept’18. While the country observed a significant fall of 23% M-o-M in Pig iron imports in Oct’18. Pig iron imports recorded at 391,276 MT as against 507,414 MT in Sept’18.
United States scrap imports up 5% during Jan-Oct’18 – United States imported 3.93 MnT ferrous scrap in during Jan-Oct’18, up 5% Y-o-Y as against 3.74 MnT during Jan-Oct’17. Increasing EAF outputs in the country resulted in rising scrap imports despite the good availability of domestic scrap and rising local consumption as compared to last year.
Crude steel production in the US stood at 71.74 MnT Jan-Oct’18 as compared to 68.24 MnT recorded during the same period last year.
Country-wise United States ferrous scrap imports –
| Country | Oct’18 | Sept’18 | % M-o-M Change | Oct’17 | % Y-o-Y Change | Jan-Oct’18 | Jan-Oct’17 | % Y-o-Y Change |
| Canada | 0.31 | 0.32 | -3.13% | 0.25 | 24.00% | 2.84 | 2.57 | 10.51% |
| Mexico | 0.04 | 0.03 | 33.33% | 0.03 | 33.33% | 0.35 | 0.23 | 52.17% |
| United Kingdom | 0.05 | 0 | _ | 0 | _ | 0.26 | 0.43 | -39.53% |
| Netherland | 0.03 | 0 | _ | 0.03 | 0.00% | 0.18 | 0.19 | -5.26% |
| Sweden | 0 | 0.04 | -100.00% | 0.03 | -100.00% | 0.16 | 0.20 | -20.00% |
| Others | 0.00 | 0.00 | _ | 0.02 | -100.00% | 0.14 | 0.12 | 16.67% |
| Total | 0.43 | 0.39 | 10.26% | 0.36 | 19.44% | 3.93 | 3.74 | 5.08% |
Quantity in MnT,
Source: SteelMint Stats
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