- Buyers on sidelines, await post-holiday price clarity
- Supply tightness to keep import market supported
Japan’s H2 scrap export market remained stable during the summer holiday period, with limited trading and buyers largely waiting on the sidelines for clearer price signals.
Offers to Vietnam were reported at $315/t CFR (North), $318/t CFR (South), and $320/t CFR for premium-quality material, while seaborne buyers largely stayed on the sidelines, awaiting clearer pricing as activity resumes after the holiday.
BigMint’s weekly assessment kept H2 unchanged at JPY 41,700/t ($272/t) FOB Tokyo Bay.
Import market updates
Vietnam: Imported ferrous scrap prices in Vietnam remians stable w-o-w, supported by tight supply and positive sentiment from the Chinese market, though overall trading activity stayed subdued.
Demand for US-origin HMS 80:20 strengthened, with offers at $345-350/t CFR and bids rising $5-10/t to $325-340/t, as some Vietnamese buyers still preferred domestic scrap for faster delivery, while others sought imported material anticipating continued market support.
Taiwan: Feng Hsin Steel, Taiwan’s largest rebar producer, raised its rebar list prices to TWD 17,200/t ($575/t) and local HMS 80:20 scrap procurement to TWD 8,300/t ($277/t) for 11-15 August, citing higher production costs.
Global scrap prices, along with stronger rebar prices in mainland China and upcoming Chinese production cuts, supported the price increase and positive market sentiment in Taiwan.
Outlook
Market activity is expected to remain steady, with imported scrap demand in Vietnam supported by supply tightness and Chinese market trends, while Taiwan’s rebar and scrap markets continue to be influenced by mainland steel price movements and production adjustments.
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