Published on 16 May 2024

Taiwan, a significant player in the global metal industry, has seen a notable shift in its scrap imports in the first four months of the year. The total ferrous scrap imports fell to 1,046,468 metric tons (mt) from January to April, marking a 5.2% year-over-year decline.

Main Suppliers and Their Contributions

The United States, a major contributor to Taiwan’s scrap supply, exported 448,732 mt to Taiwan during this period. This figure represents an increase of 10.1% year over year, indicating a strengthening trade relationship between the two countries in the scrap metal sector.

On the other hand, Japan, another key supplier, significantly decreased its scrap exports to Taiwan. The East Asian country exported 218,103 mt of scrap to Taiwan during the specified period, marking a 23.9% decrease from the previous year. This substantial drop reflects the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the global scrap metal market.

A Closer Look at April’s Figures

In April alone, Taiwan’s scrap imports amounted to 276,841 metric tons, a figure that is higher and lower depending on the perspective. On a month-over-month basis, this represents a 1.5% increase, suggesting a slight upward trend in the short term. However, compared to the same month in the previous year, there is an 11.0% decrease, indicating a longer-term downward trend.

Conclusion

The fluctuating figures highlight the volatile nature of the scrap metal market, influenced by a myriad of factors ranging from global economic conditions to bilateral trade policies. As such, stakeholders in the industry must stay abreast of these changes to make informed decisions and maintain competitiveness in the market. The rest of the year will undoubtedly bring more changes, and how Taiwan’s scrap import landscape will evolve remains to be seen.