Thailand-one of the emerging Southeast Asian market in terms of the steel industry has witnessed fall in its ferrous scrap imports in Apr’18. As per recently released customs data, Thailand imported 103,841 MT ferrous scrap in Apr’18 which has declined by 17% M-o-M as against 125,652 MT imports recorded in Mar’17.
On yearly premises, ferrous scrap imports increased marginally by 5% in Apr’18 as against 99,252 MT ferrous scrap imports in Apr’17.
United States remained the largest supplier of ferrous scrap to Thailand – In Apr’18, United States supplied highest 32,796 MT ferrous scrap to Thailand occupying 32% share. United States scrap exports increased multifold on monthly basis in Apr’18 as it exported minor volumes in Mar’18 amid the less clarity on the impact of USA import tariffs section 232. On the other hand, Myanmar which was supplied highest in Mar’18 to Thailand witnessed 92% M-o-M fall for this month and remained fourth largest exporter supplying 5,632 MT scrap in Apr’18.
Japan witnessed a sharp rise in its exports to Thailand supplying 20,464 MT ferrous scrap in Apr’18 followed by Trinidad & Tobago (9,122 MT) and Australia (4,546 MT). Major exporters like China, South Africa and Philippines witnessed nil exports to Thailand.
Thailand’s ferrous scrap imports increase 22% Y-o-Y during Jan-Apr’18 – Thailand imported 505,221 MT ferrous scrap during Jan-Apr’18 which has surged by 22% Y-o-Y as against 412,849 MT imports in Jan-Apr’17. United States remained largest scrap exporter as it occupied highest 20% share of total scrap imports to Thailand followed by other major exporters like Myanmar (18% share), Australia (10%), South Korea (6%), Trinidad & Tobago (5%) and Japan (5%) respectively.
Amid rising crude steel production in the country, Thailand witnessed five years’ highest ferrous scrap imports last year which stood at 1.49 MnT as against 0.90 MnT in CY16. According to World Steel Association, crude steel production in Thailand stood at 4.48 MnT in 2017 compared to 3.82 MnT in 2016. During first four months of CY18, crude steel produced at 1.204 MnT as against 1.131 MnT in Jan-Apr’17 in Thailand.
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 –
| Country | Apr’18 | Mar’18 | % M-o-M Change | Apr’17 | % Y-o-Y Change | Jan-Apr’18 | Jan-Apr’17 | % Y-o-Y Change |
| United States | 32,796 | 2,163 | 1416.23% | 72,457 | -54.74% | 100,417 | 163,579 | -38.61% |
| Myanmar | 5,632 | 68,784 | -91.81% | 433 | 1200.69% | 88,494 | 1,369 | 6364.13% |
| Australia | 4,546 | 5,775 | -21.28% | 2,037 | 123.17% | 49,863 | 6,264 | 696.02% |
| Trinidad & Tobago | 9,122 | 8,267 | 10.34% | 1,672 | 445.57% | 27,189 | 10,033 | 171.00% |
| Others | 51,745 | 40,663 | 27.25% | 22,656 | 128.39% | 239,258 | 231,604 | 3.30% |
| Total | 103,841 | 125,652 | -17.36% | 99,255 | 4.62% | 505,221 | 412,849 | 22.37% |
Quantity in MT,
Source: SteelMint Stats
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