South Africa: Ferrous Scrap Exports Down 10% in Q3CY'18; Pakistan Purchase Fall
...
As per recent customs data, South African scrap exports recorded at 120,771 MT in Q3'CY18, down 10% Q-o-Q as against 134,605 MT in Q2'CY18. While exports climbed up 30% Y-o-Y as against 93,146 MT in Q3'CY17. Second largest importer, Pakistan imported 22,937 MT in Q3'CY18 down 34% Q-o-Q as against 34,745 MT ferrous scrap in Q2'CY18.
The country observed second successive fall in its monthly ferrous scrap exports in Sept'18. It exported 36,454 MT ferrous scrap in Sept'18, down 7% M-o-M as against exports recorded at 39,370 MT in Aug'18.
On yearly premises country witnessed 24% Y-o-Y rise in its scrap exports in Sept'18 as against 29,327 MT in Sept'17.
Port wise - In Sept'18, the majority of the scrap exports made from South Africa have been done through major port Durban (20,573 MT) occupying 56% share followed by Johannesburg (6,029 MT), Pretoria (6,067 MT), Port Elizabeth (2998 MT) and Cape Town (786 MT) occupying 17%, 17%, 8% and 2% respectively.
India remained the largest importer of South African ferrous scrap - Indian scrap imports increased marginally up by 4% M-o-M in Sept'18. It imported 21,624 MT ferrous scrap from South Africa, as against 20,734 MT in Aug'18. While Pakistan observed considerable growth by 27% M-o-M on increased purchases after religious holidays. Pakistan imported 5,199 MT in Sept'18 as against 4,095 MT in Aug'18. Other prominent importers were Bangladesh (5,036 MT, down 44% M-o-M) and Indonesia (2,498 MT, up 10% M-o-M) in Sept'18.
Top three importers India, Bangladesh and Pakistan occupied 59%, 14% and 14% share individually comprising total 87% share of ferrous scrap exports from South Africa in Sept'18.
South African scrap exports up 5% Y-o-Y during Jan-Sept'18 - South Africa exported 356,694 MT ferrous scrap during Jan-Sept'18, up 5% Y-o-Y as against 339,646 MT scrap imports recorded during the first three quarters of last year.
On yearly basis, Bangladesh (up 51% Y-o-Y) and India (up 45% Y-o-Y) observed increased imports from South Africa on easier and faster availability while Pakistan's imports moved down by 24% Y-o-Y in CY18.
According to the data released by World Steel Association, crude steel production in South Africa edged up to 0.573 MnT in Sept'18 as against 0.528 MnT Aug'18. While it recorded at 4.83 MnT during Jan-Sept'18 as against 4.68 MnT during Jan-Sept'17.
While its iron ore exports declined by 26% on monthly basis to 4.17 MnT in Sept'18 as against 5.63 MnT in Aug'18. The weather constraints, along with the transport slowdown at some ports could have reduced the exports of iron ore and scrap in Sept'18.
Country-wise South Africa ferrous scrap exports -
| Country | Sept'18 | Aug'18 | % M-o-M Change | Sept'17 | % Y-o-Y Change | Jan-Sept'18 | Jan-Sept'17 | % Y-o-Y Change |
| India | 21,624 | 20,734 | 4.29% | 9,202 | 134.99% | 170,865 | 117,987 | 44.82% |
| Pakistan | 5,199 | 4,095 | 26.96% | 8,212 | -36.69% | 98,835 | 130,230 | -24.11% |
| Bangladesh | 5,036 | 9,007 | -44.09% | 9,963 | -49.45% | 55,687 | 36,992 | 50.54% |
| Indonesia | 2,498 | 2,275 | 9.80% | 0 | _ | 12,114 | 9,461 | 28.04% |
| Others | 2,097 | 3,259 | -35.66% | 1,950 | 7.54% | 19,193 | 46,827 | -59.01% |
| Total | 36,454 | 39,370 | -7.41% | 29,327 | 24.30% | 356,694 | 339,646 | 5.02% |
Quantity in MT,
Source: SteelMint Stats
