Turkish scrap imports decreased by -27% on-year to 1.49 million tonnes in August, according to Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) data monitored by Kallanish. Average buying price was $302/tonne versus $352/t in August 2018.

Over 99%, or 1.47mt, of the August imports were obsolete scrap. The US was the main supplier with 290,913t, down -24% on-year. This was, however, followed by Russia which increased supply 30.7% to 201,501t, and the UK with 181,644t, up 44.7%. Intake from the Netherlands dropped -55% to 163,815t from 363,642t last year.

In January-August Turkish scrap imports thus fell -15.4% on-year to 12.33mt.

Imports of HS code 720711 billet, meanwhile, surged 20% on-year in August to 136,282t, with Russia supplying 109,101t, up 41%.

Eight-month HS code 720711 billet imports nevertheless still slumped -55% to 865,895t. Russia supplied 619,102t.

Turkish rebar exports in August declined -7.7% on-year to 474,598t, with eight-month shipments abroad still up 1.4% to 3.6mt (see separate story).