Thailand-one of the emerging Southeast Asian steel market witnessed a sharp rise in its ferrous scrap imports in Aug’18. As per recently released customs data, Thailand imported 179,255 MT ferrous scrap in Aug’18 which has increased by 80% M-o-M as against 99,358 MT imports registered in Jul’18. Significant rise in ferrous scrap imports to Thailand could be attributed to United States scrap exports to Thailand which have doubled in August.
On yearly basis, scrap imports recorded fall of 19% Y-o-Y in Aug’18 as against 220,383 MT imports in Aug’17 which were registered at highest during CY17.
Notably, after hitting last 1 year lowest scrap imports in Jun’18, Thailand witnessed two successive rise in imports in July and August. Considerable plunge in global scrap prices along with strong demand could have resulted in rise in ferrous scrap imports in Jul’18.
United State scrap exports double in Aug’18 to Thailand – United States stood as the largest supplier of ferrous scrap to Thailand. It supplied highest 74,413 MT ferrous scrap in Aug’18 which recorded almost double as against 36,639 MT last month occupying 37% share.
Australia stepped up as the second largest supplier and exported 29,322 MT ferrous scrap in Aug’18 which multiplied by five folds as against 5,769 MT in Jul’18. Myanmar supplied 14,453 MT (+17% M-o-M) while United Kingdom observed tumbled down exports in Aug’18.
Followed by other prominent exporters as Panama and Trinidad & Tobago supplying 9,430 MT and 5,920 MT ferrous scrap in Aug’18.
Crude steel production stable in Aug’18 – According to WSA, during first eight months of CY18 Thailand has produced 3 MnT crude steel as against 2.93 MnT during same period last year. While crude steel production remained stable at 0.395 MnT in Aug’18 as against Jul’18.
Semi finish imports rise sharply in Aug’18 – The nation has imported around 301,322 MT billet in Aug’18, up 119% M-o-M against 137,636 MT in Jul’18. On the other hand, pig iron imports shot up sharply and hit years high in Aug’18. The country imported 138,514 MT pig iron in Aug’18 as against just 5,001 MT in Jul’18.
Thailand’s ferrous scrap imports increased 19% Y-o-Y during Jan-Aug’18 – Thailand imported 1,057,910 MT ferrous scrap during first eight months in CY18, up 19% Y-o-Y as against 890,629 MT imports 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 –
| Country | Aug’18 | Jul’18 | % M-o-M Change | Aug’17 | % Y-o-Y Change | Jan-Aug’18 | Jan-Aug’17 | % Y-o-Y Change |
| United States | 74,413 | 36,639 | 103.10% | 70,713 | 5.23% | 314,003 | 336,516 | -6.69% |
| Myanmar | 14,453 | 12,335 | 17.17% | 6,605 | 118.82% | 136,316 | 14,213 | 859.09% |
| Australia | 29,322 | 5,769 | 408.27% | 30,536 | -3.98% | 93,387 | 68,005 | 37.32% |
| United Kingdom | 19 | 102 | -81.37% | 0 | _ | 43,924 | _ | _ |
| Trinidad & Tobago | 5,920 | 7,165 | -17.38% | 2,309 | 156.39% | 52,558 | 16,376 | 220.95% |
| Others | 37,064 | 37,348 | -0.76% | 110,220 | -66.37% | 417,722 | 455,519 | -8.30% |
| Total | 179,255 | 99,358 | 80.41% | 220,383 | -18.66% | 1,057,910 | 890,629 | 18.78% |
Quantity in MT,
Source: SteelMint Stats
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