Import Volumes Contract Significantly
Turkey's position as the global leader in ferrous scrapimports is facing unprecedented challenges as new data reveals a substantialdownturn in the country's procurement patterns. According to the TurkishStatistical Institute (TUIK), scrap imports plunged by 11.7% year-on-year to4.69 million metric tons during the first quarter of 2025. The financial impactwas even more pronounced, with the value of these imports plummeting by 23.5%to $1.75 billion compared to Q1 2024. This significant decline highlights thecomplex pressures facing Turkey's steel industry, which has traditionallyrelied heavily on imported scrap as a primary raw material for its electric arcfurnace operations.
Monthly Figures Show Mixed Signals
Examining the most recent monthly data reveals a nuancedpicture of the market's trajectory. March 2025 saw Turkey import 1.66 millionmetric tons of scrap, representing a 9.4% decrease from March 2024 levels.However, when compared to February 2025, these figures actually demonstrate a7.4% increase, potentially signaling a modest recovery or stabilization in themarket. The value of March imports totaled $622 million, down 24.4%year-on-year but up 7.3% month-on-month. This mixed performance suggests thatwhile annual comparisons remain negative, the immediate trend may be cautiouslyimproving as Turkish mills adjust their purchasing strategies to current marketconditions.
Dramatic Reshuffling Among Key Suppliers
Perhaps the most striking development in Turkey's scrapimport landscape is the significant realignment of supplier countries. TheNetherlands has emerged as Turkey's leading scrap supplier in Q1 2025,providing 842,805 metric tons, a 4.9% increase from the previous year. Thisrepresents a seismic shift in the supply chain hierarchy, as the United States,traditionally Turkey's dominant supplier, has fallen to second place with776,294 metric tons, marking a substantial 23.1% decrease year-on-year. The UnitedKingdom also experienced a significant 20.7% decline in its exports to Turkey,shipping 457,603 metric tons during this period. Meanwhile, Russia hasdramatically increased its presence in the Turkish market, with scrap exportssurging by an impressive 114.8% to reach 181,831 metric tons in Q1 2025.
Market Pressures and Operational Challenges
Multiple factors have contributed to the decline inTurkey's scrap imports during this period. Market analyses indicate thatTurkish mills have been forced to temporarily halt purchases as scrap importsbecame increasingly expensive. Regional market dynamics were also affected byreligious observances such as Ramadan, which traditionally impacts businessactivity across the region. Additionally, sell-side participants in the Turkishdeepsea import scrap market had anticipated tighter availability and improvedrestocking demand from domestic mills to support prices in early 2025. However,these expectations have yielded mixed results as global economic uncertaintiescontinue to cast a shadow over the steel industry, affecting purchasingdecisions and inventory management strategies.
Price Dynamics Show Signs of Stabilization
Despite the overall decline in import volumes, there havebeen some encouraging signs in the pricing realm. Since the beginning of 2025,scrap prices for HMS 1/2 80:20 in Turkey have increased by 1.7% to $355 per ton(as of February 10, 2025), reversing earlier declines observed in late 2024.This modest recovery suggests some stabilization in the market after a periodof significant volatility. Similar recovery trends have been observed in globalscrap prices, with increases of 1.5-2% recorded across various markets sincethe start of 2025. While these improvements are modest, they indicate potentialbroader recovery in the scrap metal sector, though industry analysts maintain acautious outlook regarding long-term prospects.
Key Takeaways:
• Turkey's ferrous scrap imports declined by 11.7%year-on-year to 4.69 million metric tons in Q1 2025, with import value droppingeven more sharply by 23.5% to $1.75 billion.
• The Netherlands has overtaken the United States asTurkey's primary scrap supplier, with Dutch exports increasing by 4.9% while USshipments fell by 23.1%.
• Despite volume declines, scrap prices have shown signs ofstabilization, increasing by 1.7% to $355 per ton since early 2025, withexperts projecting prices to remain in the $340-360 range through Q1.
