Turkey Scrap Rises $28/t as U.S. HMS Gains $22/t

Regional ferrous scrap markets diverged in September 2026, with Turkey, the United States and Germany posting gains after the summer downturn while prices declined in China and Italy. Turkish HMS 1&2 80:20 recorded the largest reported increase, rising $28/t to an average $400/t CFR.

Ferrous scrap markets moved in different directions during September following the broad price weakness recorded over the summer.

The strongest reported gain occurred in Turkey, where imported HMS 1&2 80:20 scrap rose sharply during the first three weeks of the month.

U.S. and German benchmarks also increased, while Italian and Chinese prices moved lower.

For context, SteelPrices reported that regional scrap markets were still predominantly weak in July and August: Regional Scrap Price Declines Slowed in August .

Why Did Turkish Scrap Rise $28/t in September?

Turkish imported scrap recorded the largest September increase among the markets covered in the report.

HMS 1&2 80:20 prices started the month at approximately $380–382/t CFR Turkey and climbed to a peak of $402–404/t CFR during the third ten-day period.

Average September quotations increased by $28/t to $400/t CFR.

The rally lost momentum toward month-end as steelmakers resisted additional increases. European-origin scrap transactions were subsequently reported at around $395/t CFR.

The source report linked the early-month strength to mill restocking requirements, tighter availability of alternative metallic feedstocks and higher freight and transportation costs.

By late September, however, weaker rebar demand and tighter mill liquidity limited buyers' willingness to accept further increases.

Turkey's billet market also strengthened during September, partly alongside higher scrap costs. See: Turkey Billet Prices Rise $30/t in September .

Turkey Imports About 1.4 Million Tonnes of Scrap in August

Turkey remained heavily dependent on imported ferrous scrap ahead of the September price increase.

TÜ?K-based trade data show the country imported approximately 1.40 million tonnes of scrap in August 2026.

August volumes were slightly higher year over year but approximately 15.5–15.7% below July, when imports were about 1.65–1.66 million tonnes.

January-August imports totaled approximately 12.7 million tonnes, up about 4% year over year.

The United States was the largest supplier in August at approximately 269,000 tonnes, followed by the United Kingdom at about 224,000 tonnes and Russia at 127,000 tonnes.

Turkish Scrap Stabilizes Near $395–402/t in Early October

Early-October market data indicate that September's sharp upward momentum did not immediately resume after month-end.

As of October 9, Northern European HMS 1&2 80:20 was assessed at approximately $395/t CFR Turkey.

U.S.-origin material was assessed around $399.72–402/t CFR Turkey.

No significant new bookings were reported during that week, while weakening Turkish rebar demand contributed to cautious buying.

Germany Scrap Rises While Italy Falls

Western European scrap markets continued to show substantial country-level divergence.

German E3 scrap rose $11/t during September to $332/t EXW.

In Italy, the same grade declined by $13/t to $358/t.

The September source cited subdued finished-long demand, mill inventories and difficulties passing higher costs to end users as restraints on the European market.

Logistics remained another concern. Low river levels and rail-system disruptions continued to affect scrap movements in parts of Central Europe.

Germany remained a net scrap exporter. In the first half of 2026, exports increased 1% year over year to 4.05 million tonnes, while imports rose 5% to 2.24 million tonnes.

EU Scrap Export Rules Could Change Asian Trade Flows

European scrap availability could also be affected by the EU's revised Waste Shipment Regulation.

The European Commission published a draft delegated act on September 18 setting out which non-OECD countries could continue receiving specified non-hazardous waste streams from the EU after May 21, 2027.

Under the draft, India and Pakistan are not proposed for authorisation to receive covered metal waste, although both could remain authorised for some other waste categories.

The proposal is not yet the final authorised-country list and should therefore not be described as a definitive ban at this stage.

SteelPrices has covered the issue in greater detail: EU Draft Would Restrict Metal Scrap Exports to India .

U.S. HMS Benchmark Rises $22/t in September

U.S. ferrous scrap pricing also strengthened during September after the June-July downturn.

Average HMS 1&2 80:20 quotations increased $22/t to $349/t on an East Coast delivery basis.

The source report described Chicago domestic prices as broadly stable during the month, with No. 1 scrap at approximately $450–455/t, HMS 1&2 at $330–345/t and shredded scrap at $410–425/t.

Market sentiment improved from neutral to moderately optimistic as domestic demand strengthened and Turkish buying continued.

The report also cited higher fuel and transport costs, longer railcar turnaround times and tighter seasonal collection as supportive factors.

U.S. Scrap Exports Rise Through July

U.S. export demand remained an important part of the scrap-market balance.

GMK Center reported that ferrous scrap exports increased 4.8% year over year to 7.7 million tonnes in January-July 2026.

Turkey was the largest reported buyer over the period at approximately 2.03 million tonnes, followed by Mexico at 1.38 million tonnes.

July exports totaled approximately 1.07 million tonnes. Separate U.S. trade reporting also confirms July exports at roughly that level, with Turkey the largest destination during the month.

U.S. scrap imports were reported at approximately 3.15 million tonnes in January-July, with Canada supplying the majority.

China Scrap Falls $9/t to $360/t

China's scrap market moved in the opposite direction during September.

The reported benchmark declined by $9/t to an average $360/t CFR.

Prices moved only modestly during the month, rising slightly at first amid limited supply before weakening and then stabilizing toward late September.

The source report cited payment delays and tighter liquidity as important pressures on market sentiment.

On the other side of the balance, limited scrap availability and favorable economics relative to molten iron were reported to have restricted the downside.

Expectations for large-scale mill restocking ahead of China's October 1-7 National Day holiday did not materialize.

What Did September Show About Global Scrap Prices?

September produced a partial recovery from the summer downturn rather than a uniform increase in global ferrous scrap prices.

Turkey recorded the strongest advance, while the U.S. East Coast and Germany also improved.

Italy and China moved lower, showing that regional supply-demand conditions remained highly differentiated.

The Turkish market also demonstrated how quickly sentiment could change: prices climbed above $400/t CFR during September but eased toward $395/t for European material as mills resisted additional increases.

Into October, the main issues to watch are Turkish rebar demand, U.S. monthly scrap settlements, European mill operating rates, logistics and the evolving EU waste-export framework.

Primary market reporting: GMK Center.

Trade-data verification: TÜ?K-based reporting; U.S. International Trade Commission reporting.

EU policy verification: European Commission; Bureau of International Recycling.

Early-October market context: SteelRadar; Fastmarkets.