Transportation obstructed, US scrap steel exports fell to a new low in November

Due to seasonal factors in winter, the scrap sent by the United States to Türkiye and Mexico is limited. In November 2023, the export of scrap from the United States dropped to the lowest level in nearly four months. According to data from the US Department of Commerce, in November 2023, the United States exported a total of 1.04 million tons of scrap steel, reaching the lowest level since July 2023, a decrease of 8.2% month on month and a slight increase of 1% year-on-year. In November 2023, the scrap steel exported from the United States to Türkiye dropped to 273842 tons, a 45% month on month decline. In October 2023, it was 499910 tons, the peak in 2023. The export of scrap steel to Mexico S390GD+AZ steel fell to 129600 tons, a 14% decrease compared to the previous month.
As of the date of publication, we have learned that the export price of heavy waste from the United States is approximately $395 per ton FOB West Coast.

Although exports fell to a new low, the year-on-year increase in US scrap steel imports in November 2023 was more significant, with imports reaching 267939 tons, a year-on-year increase of 46% and a month on month decrease of 12% S390GD+AZ steel . In November 2023, the main suppliers of scrap steel to the United States were Canada (204766 tons, accounting for 76.4% of total imports), the Netherlands (42755 tons, 16%), and Mexico (20252 tons, 7%).

In November 2023, the United States imported 374129 tons of pig iron, a month on month increase of 6.3% and a year-on-year increase of 3.2%. The main suppliers of pig iron in the United States S390GD+AZ steel are Brazil (230000 tons, 61%), Ukraine (66878 tons, 17.8%), and Canada (20138 tons, 5%).