According to the Metal Bulletin with reference to the US Department of Commerce, US exports of stainless steel scrap in May, has intensified against the backdrop of increased appetite in South Korea and Taiwan. After 2 months of calm foreign consumers purchased 77.2 thousand. Tons of scrap of stainless steel, which is 29.9% more as compared to 59.449 ths. Tons in April. However, the total amount exported from the beginning of the year scrap (341.853 thousand. Tons) to 23% lower than the same period last year. «Overseas demand is very sluggish and is unlikely to change — said between one of the exporters. — In I quarter was observed activity in Stunning backdrop of cheap nickel and a lack of stocks at service centers. And now the stocks of scrap stainless steel is low, due to the fact that there is no scrap collection because of production problems. «
The leader of scrap purchases in May, was Taiwan, require 37.285 thousand. Tonnes of material compared to 31.129 ths. Tons in April (+ 19.8%). For 5 months Taiwan imported 171.933 thousand. Tons of US steel scrap (+ 20.8% compared to the same period of 2009).
Korea purchased in May US 10.839 ths. Tons of scrap compared to 5991 tons in April, but its total volume of purchases in January-May was 35.3% less than 5 months of last year.
China's procurement policy has been stable throughout the year — Celestial acquired in May of 6966 tons of US stainless scrap compared to 6380 tons in April (+ 9.2%). However, the import of scrap to China since the beginning of the year amounted to 32.989 ths. Tons, which is 65.2% less than in the same period a year earlier.
Finland has not appeared on the market in May, has been 3 consecutive months. 6047 Spain consumed US ton scrap after procurement of 80 m during the first four months of the year.
India's share in the US stainless scrap purchases increased by 55.8% in May, up to 3525 m with 2263 tons in April, while Japanese purchases in the same terms, grew by 6.8% to 7743 tons against 7247 tons in April, .