Steel Scrap Price Trend Analysis 2026: Market Insights, Historical Prices, Price Drivers, Supply Demand Analysis & Latest News

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Written ByRakesh Nandi

Procurement Resource Database

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The global steel scrap market exhibited divergent regional price trajectories during the fourth quarter of 2025, shaped by contrasting supply-demand fundamentals and seasonal dynamics. North American markets witnessed a fundamental transformation as mills reasserted negotiating power following years of elevated premium structures. Buyers leveraged improved supply availability and spot market liquidity to renegotiate legacy contracts, driving premium compression and shifting procurement strategies toward more flexible, margin-focused sourcing. Contract review processes accelerated as steelmakers challenged inflated pricing arrangements established during earlier supply disruption periods.

European markets balanced weak steel demand against limited scrap availability, with prices supported by export activity to Turkey and North Africa. Seasonal supply reductions intensified due to shortened working periods and early winter weather conditions restricting collection activities. Turkish markets experienced upward price pressure driven by tight supply from key source regions, elevated freight rates, and accelerated purchasing to secure material for early-year requirements, though steel sector fundamentals remained mixed with sluggish rebar consumption.

Asian markets faced downward pressure as Chinese electric arc furnace mills limited purchases amid unprofitable production conditions and seasonal demand weakness. Indian markets confronted mounting challenges from export restrictions implemented by the UAE and potential European Union measures, exacerbating domestic scrap deficiency concerns as international sourcing options contracted.

About Steel Scrap

Steel scrap or scrap is the product produced by re-using steel scrap generated from steel manufacturing processes. It can be remelted over and over endlessly to make new products such as automobiles, rail coaches, ships, white goods, construction products, machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, as well as packaging material.

Steel Scrap Product Detail

Hs Code
72044910/ 72044900
Industrial Uses

Used for manufacturing various goods, including home furnishings from metal beds to office equipment, steel lamps and steel tables, white goods, vehicles, electronics, machinery, and packaging, among others.

Synonyms

Scrap metal, Metal Scrap, Ferrous Scrap

Supplier Database

EVRAZ North America, China Steel Corporation (CSC), American Iron & Metal Company Inc., OmniSource, LLC, Hyundai Motor Company, TSR Recycling GmbH & Co. KG, European Metal Recycling Ltd., Innovative Metal Recycling, SA Recycling LLC, Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., Ward Recycling Ltd, Inc.

Regional Coverage

Asia Pacific

China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Israel, Hongkong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand

Europe

Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy,Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Greece

North America

United States and Canada

Latin America

Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru

Africa

South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco

CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)

Supplier Database AvailabilityYes

Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer

Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery

Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Global steel scrap followed a firm to upward trend in Q1 2026, driven by tight supply, higher freight costs, and elevated energy expenses. Turkey and the USA recorded the strongest gains, while Europe stabilised and China saw only limited increases.
Winter-related collection delays, elevated freight costs, and geopolitical disruptions affecting shipping routes increased procurement expenses in Q1 2026. Tight scrap availability and higher energy costs also supported prices across major import markets.
The supply chain runs from collection and shredding through processing yards, traders, and exporters, before reaching EAF and BOF steelmakers globally.
China led global steel scrap consumption in 2025 at 227.0 million tonnes, followed by the EU at 74.4 million tonnes and the USA at 57.0 million tonnes. India and Turkey were the standout growth markets, with consumption rising 17.9% and 5.8% respectively, while the EU, Japan, and South Korea recorded declines.
Globally, the shift toward EAF steelmaking is the primary structural driver of scrap demand, as EAFs use scrap as their main feedstock while emitting significantly less carbon than traditional blast furnaces.
Global recycled steel usage rose 4.5% to 480.268 million tonnes in 2025 despite a 2.2% decline in overall crude steel production, signalling a structural shift toward scrap-intensive steelmaking.
Steel scrap demand is closely tied to construction and manufacturing activity, as these sectors drive rebar and long steel consumption at EAF mills. In Q1 2026, weak construction recovery in China and cautious procurement across Europe limited scrap buying interest, keeping gains modest despite tight supply conditions.
Algoma Steel permanently closed its blast furnace on January 18, 2026, completing Canada's largest decarbonisation project and fully transitioning to EAF-based scrap steelmaking, with EAF Unit 1 running 24 hours a day and record steel plate sales of 116,000 tonnes achieved in Q1 2026.
China remained the world's largest steel scrap consumer in 2025 at 227.0 million tonnes, with usage rising 8.3% year-on-year despite a 4.4% decline in crude steel production to 960.8 million tonnes. Its low EAF adoption rate relative to Turkey and the USA means any shift in Chinese demand has an outsized amplifying or dampening effect on global scrap trade flows and sentiment.
Procurement Resource analyses metal price trends using primary market research, trade data, supply-demand analysis, and feedstock tracking. The methodology also evaluates inventories, freight costs, and macroeconomic factors, supported by continuous market monitoring and cross-verification.

About the Author

Rakesh Nandi profile photo

Rakesh Nandi

Team Lead - Market Research

Leading procurement-focused market intelligence across chemicals, composites, advanced materials, aerospace & defense, and energy, delivering commodity forecasts, supply chain analysis, and competitive benchmarking to support sourcing decisions.

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