en.Wedoany.com Reported - In 2025, the total export volume of ferrous scrap from the United States was 12.1 million tonnes, a 16% year-on-year decrease compared to 14.5 million tonnes in 2024, reaching the lowest level in over two decades (12.0 million tonnes in 2004). This decline was primarily driven by the impact of higher US tariffs on imported steel—the tariff increase boosted domestic steel production, raising scrap consumption within the US market. Despite challenges in global market demand, stable US steel production and firm prices prompted domestic steel mills to increase their scrap usage ratio, thereby limiting export supply. In June 2025, the US raised its steel import tariff to 50%, after which steel mill utilization rates rose by an average of approximately 3–4 percentage points to nearly 80%, translating into a significant monthly increase in scrap demand.

In terms of export destinations, US scrap exports declined across all major markets. Turkey remained the largest destination for US scrap exports, with imports of US scrap totaling 3.8 million tonnes in 2025, a 14% year-on-year decrease. Imports by Mexico dropped sharply by 45% to 1.17 million tonnes. Exports to Bangladesh were 1.33 million tonnes, down 28% year-on-year, while imports by India and Taiwan, China, recorded declines of 19% and 21%, respectively, reflecting a broad-based weakness in global scrap demand. US scrap export prices also trended downward in 2025, with shredded scrap export prices averaging $346 per tonne, lower than $375 per tonne in 2024; HMS 80:20 export prices averaged $326 per tonne, lower than $355 per tonne in 2024.

The US domestic scrap market remained resilient in 2025, supported by stable steel production and the continued expansion of electric arc furnace capacity. US crude steel production increased by 3% year-on-year to 82.0 million tonnes in 2025 (79.5 million tonnes in 2024). The scrap intensity remained above 70%, reaching approximately 71% in 2025. US ferrous scrap consumption rose to 58.0 million tonnes in 2025, a 4% year-on-year increase from 55.8 million tonnes in 2024, with domestic consumption accounting for 53.2 million tonnes and imports contributing approximately 4.8 million tonnes. Looking ahead, US scrap exports are likely to remain under pressure in the near term unless there is a substantial recovery in global steel demand.

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