The latest quarterly report from the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) shows global ferrous scrap markets starting 2026 on a firmer footing, with supply constraints contributing to early-year price gains.
Turkey remained the world’s largest scrap importer, despite softer volumes. In January-September 2025, Turkey imported 13.988 mln tons, down 6.8pct YoY, while its recycled steel usage rose 4.3pct to 24.456 mln tons, even though crude steel output increased only 0.7pct to 28.1 mln tons. The figures underline Turkey’s continued reliance on scrap-based EAF production amid uneven finished steel demand.
India ranked second globally, with scrap imports rising 2.8pct YoY to 6.54 mln tons in the first nine months of 2025. At the same time, India’s recycled steel usage surged 16pct to 29 mln tons, outpacing the 10.5pct increase in crude steel production to 122.4 mln tons.
On the export side, the European Union (EU-27) remained the world’s leading recycled steel exporter, although shipments declined 4pct YoY to 11.939 mln tons during January-September 2025. The moderation reflects tighter scrap availability and shifting global trade flows.
In the GCC and wider Middle East, scrap demand remained relatively resilient, supported by ongoing infrastructure and construction activity. Regional buyers, including in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, continued to play an important role in seaborne scrap trade alongside Turkey.
Combined with constrained supply in key exporting markets, this dynamic helped support international scrap prices at the start of 2026, the report added.
