- Expectations of post-monsoon market recovery boost imports
- US bulk exports double m-o-m, Japan’s shipments up 47%
Bangladesh’s total ferrous scrap imports, including bulk and containerised cargoes, rose sharply by 55% to 0.54 million tonnes (mnt) in July 2025 from 0.349 mnt in June.
Bulk scrap imports to Bangladesh surged by 59% in July 2025 to 0.51 mnt from 0.32 mnt in June. Volumes were up 29% compared to July 2024’s 0.396 mnt.
Country-wise exports
The US and Japan remained the top exporters, supplying the majority of bulk scrap volumes.
US: Bangladesh imported 189,035 t from the US in July, nearly doubling June’s 95,212 t and up 50% y-o-y from 125,653 t.
Japan: Shipments climbed up by 47% m-o-m to 175,171 t and more than doubled from 84,772 t in July 2024.
Singapore: Imports resumed after no arrivals in June, with 3,524 t in July, though down 92% from last year’s 43,327 t.
Australia: Shipments held steady at 28,166 t in July compared to June while rising by 6% y-o-y.
Malaysia: Bangladesh received 30,038 t from Malaysia in July, marking a threefold m-o-m surge from 9,502 t.
Factors driving scrap imports
Bulk scrap prices drop: Competitive offers from US suppliers encouraged Bangladeshi buyers to increase imports. Buyers also rushed to secure shipments in expectation of further price hikes.
- Bulk HMS 80:20 scrap offers from the US fell to $352/t CFR in July from $368/t in June.
- Japan’s H2 scrap offers moved down to $342/t CFR in July from $357/t in June.
Some mills boosted bookings to build inventory ahead of a potential post-monsoon demand recovery. Credit-based deals helped buyers navigate liquidity constraints and maintain steady purchasing.
Currency appreciates slightly: The Bangladeshi taka strengthened slightly, averaging 122.2/USD in July, compared to 122.7/USD in June.
Ship-breaking market gains in Jul’25
Ship-breaking activity also improved in July, with imports rising 87% m-o-m to 101,179 t and eight ships dismantled versus five in June. However, the limited availability of Hong Kong Convention (HKC)-certified yards (only 12 active) continued to constrain the sector’s competitiveness.
Outlook
The import market shows signs of cautious optimism as mills increase inventory ahead of the post-monsoon period, supported by competitive international offers and regional price influences, despite ongoing liquidity and currency pressures.
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