South Africa: Ferrous Scrap Exports Stable in February

South African ferrous scrap exports remained concentrated to India and Pakistan occupying 91% share in total exports in Feb’18.

South Africa one of the leading scrap exporters has witnessed almost stable ferrous scrap exports on monthly premises in Feb’18 as compared to the exports in Jan’18.

As per recently released customs data, South Africa exported 28,180 MT ferrous scrap in Feb’18 while South Africa’s exports were recorded at 27,752 MT in Jan’18. The country witnessed marginal growth by 1.55% M-o-M in ferrous scrap exports in Feb’18.

South African ferrous scrap exports witnessed a fall of 26% Y-o-Y in Feb’18 as against 37,983 MT exports in Feb’17.

During Jan-Feb’18, South Africa exported 55,932 MT ferrous scrap registering 33% Y-o-Y fall as against 83,571 MT ferrous scrap recorded during the same period of last year. Majority of the scrap exports made from South Africa have been done through major ports like Durban (21880 MT), Johannesburg (18474 MT), Pretoria (7365 MT) and Port Elizabeth (4950 MT) during Jan-Feb’18 respectively.

Indian scrap imports from South Africa increased following lowered global scrap prices in first half of Feb’18. Also, strong demand for scrap over improved local steel prices supported importers to increase their purchases.

South African scrap exports may perhaps increase in March month as demand has been increasing in absence of largest exporter USA on imposition section 232 tariffs on steel imports.

India stood as the largest importer of South African ferrous scrap in Feb’18 –

India stepped up as the largest importer of South African ferrous scrap in Feb’18 surpassing Pakistan. India imported 16,402 MT ferrous scrap, up 31% M-o-M as against 11,961 MT ferrous scrap in Jan’18, followed by Pakistan (9261 MT, -25% M-o-M).

In Feb’18, India and Pakistan occupied 58% & 33% shares of total ferrous scrap exports from South Africa respectively. While other major importers were United Arab Emirates (704 MT), Indonesia and Taiwan.

During Jan-Feb’18, India imported 28,363 MT ferrous scrap up 3% Y-o-Y as against 27,523 MT imports during Jan-Feb’17. Followed by Pakistan (21580 MT, -42% Y-o-Y), Taiwan (1652 MT, +100% Y-o-Y) and Indonesia (1457 MT,-24% Y-o-Y)

Bangladesh witnessed sharp fall in ferrous scrap imports during Jan-Feb’18, it has imported 604 MT ferrous scrap as against 6791 MT imports recorded in Jan-Feb’17.

Country-wise South Africa ferrous scrap exports –

Quantity In MT,
Source: SteelMint Stats