Thailand: Ferrous Scrap Imports Surge 66% in 2017

Thailand-one of the emerging market in terms of the steel industry in Southeast Asia has witnessed a significant rise in its ferrous scrap imports in 2017. As per recently released customs data, Thailand imported 1.49 MnT ferrous scrap in CY17 which has grown by 66% Y-o-Y against 0.90 MnT imports in CY16.

Thailand imported 0.17 MnT ferrous scrap in Dec'17. On monthly premises, ferrous scrap imports in Dec'17 increased marginally by 6% as against 0.16 MnT imports in Nov'17. Notably, imports in Dec'17 mounted to the second highest in CY17 as Thailand imported highest 0.22 MnT ferrous scrap in Aug'17.

On yearly basis, ferrous scrap imports to Thailand hiked mammoth 240% against 0.05 MnT ferrous scrap imports in Dec'16.Thus ferrous scrap imports increased more than three folds Y-o-Y in Dec'17 to Thailand.

During the fourth quarter of CY17, Thailand imported 0.47 MnT ferrous scrap which surged 161% as against 0.18 MnT ferrous scrap during the fourth quarter of CY16, while up 12% Q-o-Q against 0.42 MnT imports in third quarter of CY17.

Thailand crude steel production increased 17% during Jan-Dec'17 - According to World Steel Association, crude steel production of Thailand has increased to 4.48 MnT during 2017 compared to 3.82 MnT in 2016.

United States remained the largest supplier of ferrous scrap to Thailand -

In 2017, United States exported highest 0.51 MnT ferrous scrap occupying 34% share of total ferrous scrap imports in Thailand followed China at 0.16 MnT ferrous scrap exports. Other major exporters of ferrous scrap to Thailand were Australia (0.10 MnT), Philippines (0.07 MnT) and Japan (0.04 MnT) respectively.

In Dec'17, United States exported highest 0.10 MnT while China and Myanmar each exported 0.01 MnT ferrous scrap to Thailand respectively.

In CY17, China emerged as the second highest exporter of ferrous scrap to Thailand. The scrap exports from China have grown sharply as against in CY16.

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 producers in Thailand include G Steel, Tata Steel Thailand, Sahaviriya Steel Industries PLC.

Country-wise Thailand ferrous scrap imports -

Quantity in MnT,
Source: SteelMint Stats