Turkiye: Ferrous scrap imports rise 4% m-o-m in Feb’25; European shipments support uptick

• Netherlands sees 40% m-o-m rise; Belgium’s exports up 200%
• Turkish crude steel output declines 9% amid weak demand

Turkiye imported 1.55 million tonnes (mnt) of ferrous scrap in February 2025, up 4% from 1.49 mnt in January 2025. Higher shipments from Europe, specifically the Netherlands and Belgium, drove up overall volumes.

However, imports were down 5% compared to 1.63 mnt in February 2024.

Tight availability and stronger Turkish rebar demand drove scrap tags higher, while US recyclers gained confidence amid a sharp domestic price surge following the newly announced tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports into the region.

Monthly average price trends

• US-origin HMS 80:20 CFR: In February, average HMS 80:20 bulk scrap prices stood at $357/tonne (t) CFR Turkiye, up $16/t from $341/t in January.
• US-origin HMS 80:20 FOB: In February, average HMS 80:20 bulk scrap prices stood at $336/t FOB East Coast, US, up $19/t from $317/t in January.

Major updates

• Crude steel production drops: Turkiye’s crude steel output fell 9% m-o-m to 2.92 mnt in February from 3.2 mnt in January amid overall weaker domestic steel demand.
• Turkish lira depreciates: The Turkish lira weakened by 2% against the US dollar, with the monthly average exchange rate moving from 35.7 in January to 36.4 in February, lifting import costs.

Country-wise break-down

Netherlands: Turkiye’s leading ferrous scrap supplier continued to be the Netherlands, which witnessed a 40% m-o-m rise in exports to 355,195 t in February 2025 from 253,762 t in January.

Additionally, Turkish imports from the Netherlands climbed up by 15% compared to 308,214 t in February 2024.

Belgium: The second-largest scrap supplier was Belgium, which saw a threefold (over 200%) surge m-o-m in exports to Turkiye. Volumes stood at 252,645 t in February 2025 against 79,233 t in the previous month.

Meanwhile, there was a notable jump of 57% from 160,441 t in the year-ago period.

US: US-origin scrap shipments rose significantly by 47% m-o-m to Turkiye to 216,842 t in February 2025 from 147,182 t in January 2025.

Meanwhile, there was a 20% increase compared to 180,939 t in the year-ago period.

UK: UK-origin imports nearly halved m-o-m, to 106,024 t in February 2025 from 205,777 t in January 2025.

Meanwhile, shipments experienced a 39% decrease from 172,966 t in the year-ago period.

Outlook

Turkiye’s ferrous scrap import volume is expected to remain range-bound in the short term, supported by a stable regular supply from Europe and the Baltic region and improved rebar demand. However, with domestic steel output already declining, mills may remain cautious in booking high volumes.

Looking ahead, the US tariffs on steel imports – which took effect in March – could tighten global scrap availability and push prices higher. Turkiye may face increased competition for US-origin cargoes, prompting mills to diversify sources or lean on European suppliers such as the Netherlands and Belgium, which, as a result, will experience a sharp rise in shipments. A weaker lira could further challenge import economics if scrap prices escalate post-tariff.