USA – world’s fourth-largest importer of ferrous scrap after Turkey, South Korea and India witnessed stability in scrap imports in Sept’18 amid decent availability in the local market. As per customs data, United States imported 389,699 MT ferrous scrap in Sept’18, up 3% M-o-M as against 378,471 MT ferrous scrap recorded in Aug’18. On yearly premises, US scrap imports edged up by 14% Y-o-Y as against 342,293 MT in Sept’17.
The country imported 1.24 MnT ferrous scrap in Q3’CY18, down 4% Q-o-Q as against 1.29 MnT in Q2’CY18 while imports increased 23% Y-o-Y as against 1.01 MnT during Q3’CY17.
Port wise – Top unloading port in United States for scrap import activities in Sept’18 was Detroit (0.12 MnT) occupying highest 31% share. Followed by other major ports like Seattle (0.06 MnT), New Orleans (0.04 MnT), Buffalo (0.04 MnT) and Charleston (0.03 MnT) occupying 15%, 10%, 10% and 8% share respectively.
Canada remained the largest scrap supplier to United States – Canada remained the largest supplier to US in Sept’18 occupying 82% share. Canada exported 315,105 MT, up 4% M-o-M as against 308,454 MT in Aug’18.
Sweden stepped up at second largest exporter position in Sept’18 supplying 37,014 MT ferrous scrap, up significantly as against minor volumes in Aug’18. Mexico remained second largest exporter supplying 34,847 MT in Sept’18. On the other hand, other prominent suppliers like UK, Netherlands and Spain observed sharp fall in exports to US registering nil volumes in Sept’18.
US observed significant rise in Pig iron imports in Sept’18 keeping scrap imports almost stable amid multiple planned maintenance outages, decent inventories and correction in global scrap prices.
Notably, US Pig Iron imports increased in Sept’18 after four successive fall since May’18. Imports recorded at 507,415 MT, up 46% M-o-M as against 347,263 MT in Aug’18.
United States scrap imports marginally up during Jan-Sept’18 – United States imported 3.50 MnT ferrous scrap in during Jan-Sept’18, up 4% Y-o-Y as against 3.38 MnT during Jan-Sept’17. Despite increasing EAF outputs in US, good availability of domestic scrap kept imports almost stable amid rising local consumption as compared to last year. Crude steel production in US stood at 64.11 MnT Jan-Sept’18 as compared to 61.38 MnT recorded during Jan-Sept’17.
Country-wise United States ferrous scrap imports –
| Country | Sept’18 | Aug’18 | % M-o-M Change | Q3 2018 | Q2 2018 | Jan-Sept’18 | Jan-Sept’17 | % Y-o-Y Change |
| Canada | 0.32 | 0.31 | 3.23% | 0.93 | 0.88 | 2.53 | 2.32 | 9.05% |
| Mexico | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.00% | 0.10 | 0.11 | 0.31 | 0.20 | 55.00% |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0.01 | -100.00% | 0.06 | 0.03 | 0.21 | 0.43 | -51.16% |
| Netherlands | 0 | 0.03 | -100.00% | 0.06 | 0.11 | 0.15 | 0.16 | -6.25% |
| Sweden | 0.04 | 0 | _ | 0.04 | 0.09 | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0.00% |
| Others | 0.00 | 0.00 | _ | 0.05 | 0.07 | 0.14 | 0.11 | 27.27% |
| Total | 0.39 | 0.38 | 2.63% | 1.24 | 1.29 | 3.50 | 3.38 | 3.55% |
Quantity in MnT,
Source: SteelMint Stats
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