Exports of scrap metals decreased in the USA

In the first half of 2014, the export of ferrous scrap from the United States fell sharply. The export of scrap aluminum also declined significantly during this period. However, scrap exports have rebounded from the lows when the Green Rules were introduced by the Chinese authorities.

During the period from January to June 2014, the export of ferrous scrap from the country amounted to 7.59 million tons, which indicates a sharp decrease of 23.5 percent compared to the export in the same period of the previous year. The average price of ferrous scrap exported during the first half of this year was $ 404 per ton, which is 3.2 percent more than in the previous year.

At the same time, the average price in the first half of this year across the US regions was $ 357.50 per ton. And in August 2014, average scrap prices remained unchanged for the tenth consecutive week. At the same time, export prices have risen over this period and have a tendency to further increase.

Exports of scrap aluminum in the first six months of this year amounted to 1.80 billion pounds. Scrap exports decreased by 10 percent in six months compared to the same period in 2013. Scrap aluminum export prices averaged 77 cents per pound, down 3.8 percent from last year.