US scrap stainless steel and alloy steel exports surged by 113pc in May 2021 to 130,505mt from 61,282mt in May 2020, according to data from the US Census Bureau. Alternatively, US scrap stainless steel and alloy steel imports surged in May by 148pc to 80,571mt over 32,458mt, annually.
The largest stainless scrap exports from the US were to Mexico at 57,607mt, up from 9,803mt in the same month in 2020. This was followed by export to Canada increasing to 33,104mt in May, compared to 22,277mt a year ago. In May, exports to India rose to 14,954mt from 4,145mt a year back.
Exports to Malaysia increased to 10,376mt in May from 7,660mt on an annual basis. Exports of stainless steel and alloy steel to Taiwan dropped in May to 3,809mt from 9,881mt in the prior year period. Exports to Thailand rose marginally to 2,765mt in May over 2,112mt in May 2020 and shipments to Pakistan and China inched up to 1,635mt and 872mt from 784mt and 453mt, respectively, on an annual basis.
Largest imports of stainless steel and alloy steel in May were from Canada at 52,416mt compared to 20,297mt in May last year. Imports from Mexico also increased in May to 26,302mt from 11,715mt a year ago.