For the Quarter Ending June 2026
High Melting Scrap Shredded Prices in APAC
- In India, the High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Index rose by 7.50% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting tight imports.
- The average High Melting Scrap Shredded price for the quarter was approximately USD 396.67/MT, including freight.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Spot Price rose as rerouted vessels increased transit times and war-risk premiums.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Forecast sees short-term firmness before seasonal monsoon softening reduces demand pressure.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Production Cost Trend reflects higher inspection fees, port handling and container freight.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Demand Outlook points to subdued construction buying during monsoon, with limited restocking.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Index volatility balanced by domestic sponge-iron competition and constrained seaborne supply.
- Lean yard inventories and export diversion encouraged mills to prioritise essential melt schedules over accumulation.
Why did the price of High Melting Scrap Shredded change in June 2026 in APAC?
- Seasonal monsoon weakened domestic construction demand, reducing mill procurement and weighing on scrap offtake.
- Origin-side tightening and rerouted cargoes increased freight and war-risk premia, inflating landed import costs materially.
- Compressed mill margins and cheaper domestic sponge-iron curbed buying, limiting upward pressure on imports overall.
High Melting Scrap Shredded Prices in North America
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Spot Price firmed significantly through the quarter as ferrous scrap collections slowed due to seasonally lower industrial generation and tighter dealer inventories.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Production Cost Trend moved upward as higher diesel prices and labor costs increased collection and processing expenses at shredding facilities across the Midwest and Southeast.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Forecast projects continued strength into Q3 2026, with potential for a modest pullback if domestic steel mill capacity utilization rates decline.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Demand Outlook remains robust from electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmakers, particularly in the Midwest, where new mini-mill capacity came online during the quarter.
- Major U.S. scrap processors operated at 80–85% throughput, though adverse weather events in the Gulf Coast region disrupted barge shipments and tightened prompt availability.
- Midwest yard inventories dropped by 11% over the quarter, reinforcing the upward High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Index as EAF mills competed aggressively for prime shredded grades.
Why did the price of High Melting Scrap Shredded change in June 2026 in North America?
- Prices increased in June 2026 due to a combination of tighter collections from the manufacturing sector (which reduced obsolete scrap generation) and a sudden surge in EAF mill buying ahead of summer production schedules.
- Additionally, higher pig iron import costs from Brazil and Russia made shredded scrap more attractive as a substitute, lifting the High Melting Scrap Shredded Spot Price during June.
- Freight rate increases on rail and truck routes from collection hubs to steel mills further elevated delivered costs, adding upward momentum to the High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Index.
High Melting Scrap Shredded Prices in Europe
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Spot Price showed moderate gains, supported by reduced export flows to Turkey and stronger domestic EAF utilisation across Germany, Italy, and Spain.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Production Cost Trend increased as electricity costs for shredder operation rose and carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) compliance added administrative and reporting expenses for European processors.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Forecast indicates a stable-to-firmer outlook in the near term, with risks tied to Turkish import demand and European automotive production schedules.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Demand Outlook is mixed; long steel producers maintained steady off-take, while flat steel mills showed more cautious buying due to weaker construction activity in Northern Europe.
- European scrap collectors operated at 78–80% capacity, with slower industrial arisings from the automotive sector limiting shredder feedstocks in May and June.
- Rotterdam and Hamburg port inventories declined by 8% over the quarter, while intra-European barge logistics experienced delays due to low river water levels, keeping the High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Index on an upward path.
Why did the price of High Melting Scrap Shredded change in June 2026 in Europe?
- Prices increased in June 2026 primarily because of reduced shredder intake from the automotive sector (due to planned summer plant shutdowns) and stronger-than-expected demand from Italian EAF producers who restocked ahead of their own maintenance windows.
- Concurrently, tighter Turkish buying earlier in the quarter redirected more European scrap volumes to the domestic market, but later Turkish re-entry in June tightened the overall Atlantic basin availability, lifting the High Melting Scrap Shredded Spot Price.
- Higher freight costs from Baltic ports to Central European mills and rising energy costs for shredder operation further contributed to the upward monthly movement in the High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Index during June.
For the Quarter Ending March 2026
High Melting Scrap Shredded Prices in North America
- In North America, the High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Index declined during the quarter due to softened export demand and ample domestic yard inventories.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Spot Price faced downward pressure as buyers postponed restocking amid bearish sentiment from Turkish and Asian markets.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Forecast suggests a gradual recovery in Q2 2026, contingent on improved industrial activity and seasonal demand.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Production Cost Trend remained elevated due to higher ferrous scrap collection, labor, and energy expenses across key districts.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Demand Outlook is cautiously optimistic, supported by automotive and rebar sectors, though EAF utilization has dipped slightly.
- Price momentum was further weighed down by increased prime scrap generation from manufacturing, adding to oversupply concerns.
Why did the price of High Melting Scrap Shredded change in March 2026 in North America?
- Prices decreased in March 2026 because of softened export demand from key offshore buyers like Turkey and India, leading to a supply buildup at US yards.
- Lower monthly mill procurement volumes and weaker finished steel pricing reduced buying urgency.
- Higher domestic collection and shredder intake kept inventories ample, giving buyers negotiation leverage.
High Melting Scrap Shredded Prices in APAC
- In India, the High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Index rose by 5.51% quarter-over-quarter, driven by tighter seaborne availability.
- The average High Melting Scrap Shredded price for the quarter was approximately USD 369.00/MT, assessments and trade flows.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Spot Price strength reflected clearance of March cargoes and elevated import offers into JNPT.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Forecast indicates near-term firmness supported by seasonal restocking and constrained domestic shipbreaking output.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Production Cost Trend was elevated as higher freight and energy costs increased landed import expenses.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Demand Outlook remains constructive driven by infrastructure, automotive and EAF despite cautious mill inventory strategies.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Index momentum was supported by limited domestic supply and sustained export parity favouring outlets.
- Operational disruptions like the Alang ship-breaking shutdown tightened supply and amplified the market's import dependence and pricing power.
Why did the price of High Melting Scrap Shredded change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Supply squeeze after Alang yard shutdown reduced domestic availability, increasing reliance on costlier imported shipments.
- Elevated freight, energy and geopolitical risk increased landed costs, pressuring sellers to pass through higher offers.
- Steady mill melt schedules and infrastructure demand maintained procurement, supporting prices despite cautious inventory management.
High Melting Scrap Shredded Prices in Europe
- In Europe, the High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Index moved sideways to lower, reflecting muted construction demand and cautious mill procurement strategies.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Spot Price remained under pressure as weak manufacturing output reduced prompt scrap arisings and trading volumes.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Price Forecast indicates modest stabilization entering Q2, pending better EU industrial policy clarity and restocking cycles.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Production Cost Trend stayed firm due to elevated electricity, logistics, and compliance costs under stricter EU recycling regulations.
- High Melting Scrap Shredded Demand Outlook is subdued near-term, with EAF mills operating below capacity and slower automotive offtake.
- Limited intra-European trade flows due to lower Italian and Spanish purchasing further softened regional pricing dynamics.
Why did the price of High Melting Scrap Shredded change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Prices decreased in March 2026 due to weak finished steel demand from the construction and automotive sectors, reducing scrap call-offs.
- Lower export competitiveness against deep-sea suppliers pressured domestic sellers to accept lower bids.
- Mills maintained conservative inventory strategies, avoiding large spot purchases amid uncertain energy price developments.
