Metals & Mining Theme, Ferrous, Non-Ferrous
August 14, 2025
US ferrous scrap exports fall in June as Turkish billet imports rise
By Greg Holt
HIGHLIGHTS
US scrap exports in June drop 25% YOY
Turkish imports of steel billet rise 53% YOY
US ferrous scrap exports fell month over month in June amid a slump in prices for shipments to top destination Turkey, as that country's imports of alternative steel billet increased, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence's Global Trade Atlas Aug. 14.
US ferrous scrap exports in June were 1.01 million mt, down 19% from May and a drop of 25% from June 2024, the Global Trade Atlas data showed. US scrap shipments to Turkey in June fell 11% month over month to 319,302 mt, while exports to Mexico, Bangladesh and India also dropped over the same period.
Turkish mini-mill demand for US ferrous scrap is influenced by the supply of steel billet from other sources, which, at the right price, can be converted to steel products at lower cost.
Turkish imports of steel billet in June were 846,102 mt, an increase of 53% from the same month in 2024, according to Global Trade Atlas. Russia was Turkey's top supplier of steel billet in June with 319,688 mt, followed by Malaysia with 159,054, Indonesia with 137,760 mt, and China with 112,311 mt.
The Platts TSI assessment of premium heavy melting scrap 1/2 (80:20) on a CFR Turkey basis averaged $341.52/mt in June, down from $384.99/mt in June 2024. Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, last assessed HMS 1/2 (80:20) at $346.50/mt CFR Turkey Aug. 14.
Platts assessed Turkish imports of steel billet at an average price of $453.71/mt CFR Turkish port in June, down from $522/mt in June 2024.
US total ferrous scrap exports in the first six months of 2025 were 6.33 million mt, down from 7.45 million mt for January-June 2024.
US total ferrous scrap imports in the first six months of 2025 were 1.82 million mt, up from 1.39 million mt for January-June 2024.
US ferrous scrap imports in June were 244,131 mt, down 1.1% from May but up 9.8% from June 2024. Scrap imports from Canada rose 15% month over month in June, while imports from Mexico fell 11% over the same period.
US ferrous scrap import figures were determined using HS codes 7204410020, 7204410040, 7204490020, 7204490040, 7204490060, 7204490070 and 7204490080.
