Scrap metal supplies to Ukrainian steel mills fell 7%, exports up 3.7-fold in 9M - association

MOSCOW. Oct 13 (Interfax) - Ferrous metal scrap supplies to Ukrainian steel mills fell 7% year-on-year in January-September 2023 to 703,000 tonnes, Ukrainian media said, quoting the Ukrainian Association of Secondary Metals or UAVtormet.

The supplies fell 72.2% from 2.53 million tonnes in January-September 2021.

Scrap procurement rose 5.8% to 878,000 tonnes in 9M 2023. Scrap exports rose 3.7-fold to 131,100 tonnes while imports halved to 800 tonnes.

Scrap metal stocks at steel plants were estimated at 25,000-30,000 tonnes as of October 1.

UAVtormet has said Ukrainian scrap yards reduced procurement 76% in 2022 to 996,700 tonnes. Exports fell 91.3% to 53,600 tonnes and imports fell 92.2% to 1,800 tonnes. Scrap supply to the country's steel mills fell 73% to 895,700 tonnes.

UAVtormet forecasts scrap procurement at 1.22 million-1.3 million tonnes in 2023. Supply to steel mills will fall to 1 million-1.05 million tonnes. Exports are expected at 180,000-200,000 tonnes. Ukraine could produce 5.6 million-5.8 million tonnes of crude steel.