en.Wedoany.com Reported - During the week ending May 12, the imported scrap market in Pakistan remained generally cautious. Firmer overseas sentiment and limited container availability pushed shredded scrap offers slightly higher, but weak domestic steel demand and geopolitical uncertainty following the failure of regional peace talks kept buyer procurement activity selective.
BigMint assessed European-origin shredded scrap at approximately CFR $426/tonne, up $1/tonne week-on-week. During the week, offers for UK and EU-origin shredded scrap were heard in the range of CFR Qasim $423-430/tonne. Market sources reported that small-lot UK shredded scrap deals were concluded around CFR Qasim $425-427/tonne, including some bookings for batches of 500-1,000 tonnes.
A Karachi-based trader said: "Offers edged slightly higher this week, but buyers continued to resist bulk bookings due to weak demand for finished steel and cautious market sentiment." A mill source in Peshawar noted: "Workable shredded scrap prices remain around CFR Qasim $425/tonne. With demand visibility for June still weak, mills are only purchasing on a need-to basis."
Market participants pointed out that overall mill sales remained sluggish at around 45-50%, while capacity utilization was estimated at only 35-40%, primarily due to weak construction activity and slow downstream demand. A Karachi-based steel industry participant said: "Domestic cold-rolled coil and galvanized sheet prices recently increased by about PKR 5,000/tonne ($18/tonne), but overall steel consumption remains under pressure due to liquidity issues and cautious procurement."
Domestic steel and scrap price trends were mixed to slightly firmer during the week. Local scrap prices were heard at PKR 152,000-156,000/tonne ($546-560/tonne), indicative rebar prices were at PKR 245,000-250,000/tonne ($880-898/tonne), billet prices were heard at PKR 210,000-215,000/tonne ($754-772/tonne), and Bala was indicated at PKR 190,000-195,000/tonne ($682-700/tonne).
Looking ahead, Pakistan's imported scrap market is expected to remain range-bound in the coming days. Due to weak steel demand, tight liquidity, and uncertain regional geopolitical conditions, buyers are likely to continue booking only limited quantities. However, relatively firm international shredded scrap quotes and restricted container availability may continue to provide modest support to import prices.
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