December 03, 2008

Global scrap trade data for 2006

Iron & Steel Statistics Bureau recently reported that the international trade in ferrous scrap fell by 4% YoY in 2005 to 90 million tonnes and 2006 is estimate d with a very small fall of around 1% YoY.

The major exporters in 2006 are as under

Country	2006	Change
USA	14	8%
Russia	9.8	-21%
Japan	7.7	1%
Germany	7.6	-2%
UK	7.4	21%
France	5.8	16%

In million tonnes
Source ISSB

The Russian fall in 2006 was partially due to a harsher than normal winter but is also due to increasing domestic production by both BOF & EAF routes as reflected in Severstal's recent acquisition of 1.1 million tonnes per year scrap merchant Vtorchermet. Russian EAF production increased by 1.5 million tonnes in 2006. Demand from increasing EAF capacity is likely to place a strain on world scrap supplies until emerging economies begin to generate significant scrap of their own.

The major importers in 2006 are as under

Country	2006	Change
Turkey	14.5	11%
Spain	7.4	7%
Italy	5.7	5%
South Korea	5.6	-17%
Germany	5.6	-1%
China	5.4	47%

In million tonnes
Source ISSB