Germany’s ferrous scrap exports decreased in January-September, according to new data from the German federal statistics office.

Exports totalled 5.4 million tonnes, down 10% on-year, and were worth €2.9 billion ($3.06 billion), Kallanish notes.

In the full-year 2023, exports totalled 7.61mt, down 3% on-year. This was the lowest export volume since the economic and financial crisis of 2009.

Shipments to Switzerland and Belgium fell the most, while deliveries to India increased.

Scrap imports last year fell by 20.7% to 3.48mt.

In terms of quantity, scrap exports to India in January-September fell the most during the reporting period. Deliveries to Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey also fell significantly.

German steel recyclers federation BDSV said in September it is pessimistic about the coming year, according to its annual industry survey (see Kallanish passim).

Due to the lack of investment momentum in the German economy and the stuttering transformation of the industry, scrap demand will not exceed supply, it noted.

BDSV and its non-ferrous counterpart VDM has previously emphasised the importance of relations with India with respect to raw materials trade. A strong partnership could develop joint environmental and labour standards, and lower trade barriers, the associations said during a meeting in New Delhi.

German scrap prices have decreased in November due to low domestic demand and limited exports (see Kallanish passim). Most sources expect trade activity to be weak next month, with possible additional declines.  

Nationwide average German prices for old thick scrap sort 3 are at €305/t, while new scrap sort 2/8 was at €308/t and E40 shredded scrap at €310/t.