Scrap Exports by World Countries Displayed Mixed Trend in 2017

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  The yearly scrap export statistics published by various countries suggest mixed trend in 2017.

The Chinese scrap exports hit record high of 2.2 million tons in 2017. The exports grew exponentially, when compared with negligible exports during 2016. The reduced intake by country’s steel sector, which witnessed widespread shutdown, resulted in more quantities of scrap being exported out of the country, in spite of high export tariffs.

The scrap exports by Singapore declined marginally during the year. The exports were down by 4% to total around 790,000 tons. The largest destination of exports was India. The steel scrap exports to India totaled 220,000 tons, accounting for nearly 28% of total exports by Singapore. However, the exports to India dropped heavily by over 25% when compared with 2016. Vietnam, with imports of 170,000 tons, was ranked second, followed by Indonesia with 150,000 tons. These three countries received almost 68% share of Singapore’s total scrap exports.

The South African scrap exports registered third consecutive year of decline in 2017. The country’s scrap exports totaled nearly 466,000 tons, down sharply by 28.1% from 2016. Pakistan was the single largest exporter of scrap from South Africa. Pakistan imported 170,000 tons of scrap, accounting for almost 37% share of the total South African scrap exports during the previous year.

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Meantime, Hong Kong reported marginal increase in scrap export volume in 2017. The yearly exports were up by 2.4% from 2016 to total 1.38 million tons. The exports recorded nearly 25% surge during the last month of the year.

The primary importer of scrap from Hong Kong was Vietnam. The imports by that country surged higher by 15% over the previous year to total 630,000 tons. Indonesia, with imports of 200,000 tons, was ranked second. The scrap supplies from Hong Kong to Indonesia were up by 12% during the year. In Third place was China with imports of 180,000 tons of scrap from Hong Kong. The imports by that country witnessed sharp 32% decline from 2016.