Turkey-world’s largest scrap importer has observed significant fall of 35% M-o-M in scrap imports in Sept’18. Dull finish steel exports, new trade tariffs and sharply depreciated Turkish currency Lira kept importers away from buying bulk volumes during Aug-Sept’18 however, activities picked up actively for end Oct-Nov shipments amid rising global prices.
As per recent customs data, country imported 1,226,517 MT ferrous scrap in Sept’18, down 35% M-o-M as against 1,892,205 MT imports noted in Aug’18. On yearly basis, scrap imports decreased by 39% Y-o-Y in Sept’18 as against 2,009,491 MT imports recorded in Sept’17.
As per customs data maintained with SteelMint, Turkey scrap imports recorded last 19 month low, as earlier to this Turkish imports fell below 1 MnT mark in Feb’17 and was recorded at 988,257 MT.
Turkish scrap imports recorded at 5.03 MnT in Q3’CY18, down 7% Q-o-Q as against 5.38 MnT in Q2’CY18 and down 10% Y-o-Y as against 5.59 MnT in Q3’CY17.
On the other hand, Turkey observed sharp rise in semi finish imports (Billet and Pig Iron) in Sept’18. It imported 534,372 MT semi finish products as against 295,553 MT in Aug’18.
Turkey imported scrap prices showed uptrend in Sept’18 – The monthly average import price for USA HMS (80:20) stood at USD 322/MT, CFR in Sept’18 as against USD 315/MT in Aug’18.
USA remained largest scrap exporter to Turkey – USA supplied 263,548 MT ferrous scrap in Sept’18 as against 385,194 MT in Aug’18. USA occupied 21% share in total scrap imports in Sept’18. Russian scrap exports (152,508 MT, stable M-o-M) to Turkey remained lower side due to scrap export ban imposed by Russian government again in Sept’18.
Netherlands observed sharp fall of 82% M-o-M in Sept’18 – Netherland witnessed sharp fall of 82% M-o-M in scrap exports to Turkey (69,785 MT) in Sept’18. Other prominent suppliers were United Kingdom (143,164 MT, +14% M-o-M), Belgium (95,664 MT, -44% M-o-M) and Canada (52,213 MT, -49% M-o-M) in Sept’18.
Turkey imported 15.77 MnT ferrous scrap in Jan-Sept’18 witnessing a rise 6% Y-o-Y as against 14.89 MnT imports during Jan-Sept’17. Scrap imports remained strong despite high global scrap prices amid rising EAF steel outputs in the country as against last year.
According to the data released by World Steel Association, crude steel production in Turkey stood at 27.98 MnT during Jan-Sept’18 which is marginally up as against 27.74 MnT in the same period last year, while down 6% M-o-M to 2.82 MnT in Sept’18 as against 3 MnT in Aug’18.
Country-wise Turkey ferrous scrap imports –
| Country | Sept’18 | Aug’18 | % Change M-o-M | Sept’17 | % Change Y-o-Y | Jan-Sept’18 | Jan-Sept’17 | % Change Y-o-Y |
| United States | 0.26 | 0.39 | -33.33% | 0.38 | -31.58% | 2.78 | 2.40 | 15.83% |
| United Kingdom | 0.14 | 0.13 | 7.69% | 0.32 | -56.25% | 2.16 | 2.25 | -4.00% |
| Netherlands | 0.07 | 0.39 | -82.05% | 0.29 | -75.86% | 1.87 | 1.91 | -2.09% |
| Russia | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.00% | 0.31 | -51.61% | 1.91 | 1.69 | 13.02% |
| Belgium | 0.10 | 0.18 | -44.44% | 0.24 | -58.33% | 1.57 | 1.72 | -8.72% |
| Others | 0.51 | 0.65 | -21.54% | 0.47 | 8.51% | 5.48 | 4.92 | 11.38% |
| Total | 1.23 | 1.89 | -34.92% | 2.01 | -38.81% | 15.77 | 14.89 | 5.91% |
Quantity in MnT,
Source: SteelMint Stats
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