Key facts
- Taiwan's ferrous scrap imports decreased by 20% in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year.
- Total scrap imports for January-June reached 762,000t.
- June saw a 12% month-on-month increase in scrap imports, totaling 159,000t.
- The price of imported containerised HMS 1/2 80:20 rose to $361/t by mid-May.
- Imports of semi-finished steel also declined by 22% in the first half of 2026.
- The US was the largest supplier of ferrous scrap to Taiwan in the first half.
Taiwan's imports of ferrous scrap saw a year-on-year decline of 20% in the first half of 2026, totaling 762,000t. This decrease occurred despite a 12% month-on-month rise in June, which brought imports to 159,000t, a slight 0.7% increase from the previous year. The overall weakness in the steel market and elevated prices for imported scrap, which reached $361/t for containerised HMS 1/2 80:20 by mid-May, curbed demand.
In line with reduced scrap imports, Taiwan's semi-finished steel imports also fell by 22% year-on-year in the first half to 1.35 million tonnes, though June saw a 36% monthly increase to 360,000t. Market sources anticipate a further decrease in scrap imports from July onwards due to declining scrap prices and Taiwanese mills scaling back purchases during the summer electricity restriction period.
The United States remained the largest supplier of ferrous scrap in the first half, though its volumes decreased by 21% to 389,000t. Imports from Japan declined, falling behind those from Dominica, as Japanese scrap prices were higher. Supply from Dominica and other South American countries increased significantly, filling the gap left by reduced Japanese volumes.