Turkey: Ferrous Scrap Imports Up 13% during Jan-Aug'18
...
Turkey-world's largest scrap importer has been witnessing rising EAF route crude steel production in CY18. Considerably rising scrap imports could be a result of high usage of scrap in EAF steel outputs in the country.
As per recent customs data, Turkey imported 14.55 MnT ferrous scrap in Jan-Aug'18 witnessing a rise 13% Y-o-Y as against 12.88 MnT imports during Jan-Aug'17. Scrap imports remained strong despite of high global scrap prices and increased billet imports in the country as against last year.
United States remained largest scrap exporter to Turkey during Jan-Aug'18 - United States supplied highest (2.52 MnT, +25% Y-o-Y) occupying 17% share in total ferrous scrap imports in Turkey. United Kingdom remained as the second highest exporter to turkey and supplied 2.02 MnT ferrous scrap, up 5% Y-o-Y. Followed by other major exporters like Netherlands (1.80 MnT, +11% Y-o-Y), Russia (1.76 MnT, +28% Y-o-Y) and Belgium (1.48 MnT, stable Y-o-Y).
According to the data released by World Steel Association, crude steel production in Turkey stood at 25.16 MnT during Jan-Aug'18 which is marginally up by 2% Y-o-Y compared to 24.74 MnT, while down 8% M-o-M to 3 MnT in Aug'18 as against 3.27 MnT in Jul'18.
Turkish scrap imports plunge marginally in Aug'18 - The country has imported 1,892,205 MT ferrous scrap in Aug'18, down 1% M-o-M as against 1,905,751 MT imports noted in Jul'18. It witnessed significant rise in its ferrous scrap imports from USA maintaining overall scrap imports almost stable on the monthly basis.
On yearly basis, scrap imports increased by 21% Y-o-Y in Aug'18 as against 1,562,832 MT imports recorded in Aug'17.
Turkey imported scrap prices move down significantly in Aug'18 - The monthly average import prices for USA HMS (80:20) stood at USD 315/MT, CFR in Aug'18 as against USD 342/MT in Jul'18. Despite of fall in global scrap prices, the country witnessed slowdown in purchases in August on sharp depreciation of Lira upto 25% against USD. Finish steel demand remained poor along with decline in billet imports and fall in crude steel production in Turkey.
Notably, Turkey observed fourth successive fall in billet imports in Aug'18 since Apr'18. It imported 235,872 MT billet in Aug'18 as against 278,071 MT in Jul'18.
USA scrap exports to Turkey surge sharply in Aug'18 - After moving down to 5th largest supplier position in Jul'18 USA jumped back to topmost scrap supplier position in Aug'18. USA supplied 385,194 MT ferrous scrap in Aug'18 as against 150,962 MT in Jul'18.
Netherlands stood as the largest supplier in Aug'18 - Netherlands witnessed sharp rise of 86% M-o-M in scrap exports to Turkey supplying highest 387,456 MT in Aug'18 as against 206,172 MT in Jul'18. On the other hand, United Kingdom (125,570 MT, down 66% M-o-M) and Russia (154,045 MT, down 45% M-o-M) observed sharp fall in scrap exports to Turkey in Aug'18. Other prominent suppliers were Belgium (184,504 MT, +6% M-o-M), Canada (102,601 MT, -12% M-o-M) and France (99,737 MT, -27% M-o-M) in Aug'18.
Russian scrap exports to Turkey fell down 45% M-o-M in Aug'18 due to scrap export ban imposed by Russian government and it seems to have remained to lower side further in September.
Country-wise Turkey ferrous scrap imports -
| Country | Aug'18 | Jul'18 | % Change M-o-M | Aug'17 | % Change Y-o-Y | Jan-Aug'18 | Jan-Aug'17 | % Change Y-o-Y |
| United States | 0.39 | 0.15 | 160.00% | 0.11 | 254.55% | 2.52 | 2.02 | 24.75% |
| United Kingdom | 0.13 | 0.38 | -65.79% | 0.32 | -59.38% | 2.02 | 1.93 | 4.66% |
| Netherlands | 0.39 | 0.21 | 85.71% | 0.19 | 105.26% | 1.80 | 1.62 | 11.11% |
| Russia | 0.15 | 0.27 | -44.44% | 0.28 | -46.43% | 1.76 | 1.38 | 27.54% |
| Belgium | 0.18 | 0.17 | 5.88% | 0.13 | 38.46% | 1.48 | 1.48 | 0.00% |
| Others | 0.65 | 0.73 | -10.96% | 0.53 | 22.64% | 4.97 | 4.45 | 11.69% |
| Total | 1.89 | 1.91 | -1.05% | 1.56 | 21.15% | 14.55 | 12.88 | 12.97% |
Quantity in MnT,
Source: SteelMint Stats
