Thailand: Ferrous Scrap Imports Down 9% in Oct’18 on Falling US Exports

Scrap exports from US and Myanmar almost halved while that from Australia jump almost three folds in Oct’18

As per recently released customs data, Thailand imported 148,960 MT ferrous scrap in Oct’18, down 9% M-o-M as against 164,488 MT ferrous scrap in Sept’18. On yearly basis, scrap imports recorded a marginal rise of 4% Y-o-Y in Oct’18 as against 143,458 MT ferrous scrap in Oct’17.

Considerable fall in ferrous scrap imports could be attributed to decline in exports from US and Myanmar, which almost halved in Oct’18 on a monthly basis. Notably, the country witnessed second successive fall in imports amid high global scrap prices and dull finish steel demand. On the other hand, billet imports halved and pig iron imports increased tenfold in Oct’18 in Thailand.

Australia remained the largest scrap supplier in Oct’18 – Australia stepped up at the top suppliers’ position and exported 28,237 MT ferrous scrap in Oct’18, up 188% M-o-M as against 9,821 MT in Sept’18. It occupied highest 19% share in total imports.

United States remained the second largest supplier observing almost 38% M-o-M fall in scrap exports in Oct’18. It supplied 22,760 MT ferrous scrap occupying highest 15% share in Oct’18 as against 36,986 MT in Sept’18. Myanmar observed 44% fall on a monthly basis supplying 11,064 MT ferrous scrap in Oct’18.

Followed by other prominent exporters were Panama (12,657 MT), Costa Rica (9,936 MT) and Singapore (7,718 MT) occupying 9%, 7% and 5% share in total scrap imports in Oct’18 in Thailand.

Crude steel production stable in Oct’18 – According to WSA, during first ten months of CY18 Thailand has produced 3.75 MnT crude steel as against 3.71 MnT during same period last year. While crude steel production increased 3% M-o-M to 0.37 MnT in Oct’18 as against 0.36 MnT in Sept’18.

Semi finish steel imports down 23% M-o-M in Oct’18 – The country imported 133,073 MT billet in Oct’18, down 51% M-o-M against 269,668 MT in Sept’18. On the other hand, pig iron imports shot up sharply witnessing eleven fold higher imports as against last month. The country imported 80,562 MT pig iron in Oct’18 as against just 7,082 MT in Sept’18.

Thailand’s ferrous scrap imports up 18% during Jan-Oct’18 – Thailand imported 1,371,358 MT ferrous scrap during first ten months in CY18, up 18% Y-o-Y as against 1,162,261 MT ferrous scrap during the same period last year.

Thailand steel industry is majorly dominated by rolling mills and most of them make use of electric arc furnace route thus making the country a major scrap consumer. Few of the major steel include G Steel, Tata Steel Thailand, Sahaviriya Steel Industries PLC etc.

Country-wise Thailand ferrous scrap imports –

Quantity in MnT,
Source: SteelMint Stats