Germany Scrap Exports Hold Steady at 5.18M Tonnes
Germany exported 5.18 million tonnes of ferrous scrap in January-August 2026, broadly unchanged from 5.19 million tonnes a year earlier, while imports increased 8% year over year to 3 million tonnes.
- January-August ferrous scrap exports totaled 5.18 million tonnes, versus 5.19 million tonnes a year earlier.
- Export value totaled €2.4 billion.
- Scrap imports rose 8% y/y to 3 million tonnes, valued at €1.4 billion.
- Italy was Germany's largest scrap export destination, taking 1.1 million tonnes.
- German scrap prices were reported broadly unchanged in October.
Germany's ferrous scrap exports remained broadly stable during the first eight months of 2026, according to Kallanish reporting based on data from the Federal Statistical Office, Destatis.
Exports totaled 5.18 million tonnes in January-August, with a value of €2.4 billion. That compares with 5.19 million tonnes during the corresponding period of 2025.
The difference represents only a marginal year-over-year decline, leaving overall export volumes effectively stable.
Scrap Imports Rise 8%
Germany imported 3 million tonnes of ferrous scrap during January-August, up 8% year over year.
The value of those imports totaled €1.4 billion.
The trade figures therefore show a different direction for Germany's inbound and outbound scrap flows: exports were essentially unchanged, while import tonnage increased.
Italy Becomes Germany's Largest Scrap Buyer
Although total exports changed little, the destination mix shifted during the period.
Shipments to Italy increased significantly, reaching 1.1 million tonnes during January-August. Italy was Germany's largest buyer of ferrous scrap over the period, according to the Destatis-based reporting.
Germany Remains a Net Scrap Exporter
Germany's headline export volume was almost unchanged year over year, but the trade balance still shows substantially more ferrous scrap leaving the country than entering it.
- Exports: 5.18 million tonnes
- Imports: 3.00 million tonnes
- Calculated net exports: approximately 2.18 million tonnes
- Exports to Italy: 1.10 million tonnes
- Italy's calculated share of exports: approximately 21.2%
SteelPrices calculation: Net exports are calculated as 5.18 million tonnes of exports minus 3.00 million tonnes of imports. Italy's share is calculated from reported shipments of 1.1 million tonnes divided by total exports of 5.18 million tonnes.
The figures show that Germany remained a significant net supplier of ferrous scrap during the period even as its own scrap imports increased. They do not, by themselves, establish the reasons for the change in trade flows or domestic scrap availability.
Low River Levels Complicate Domestic Scrap Logistics
Separately, German recycling and waste-management associations reported that low water levels on the Rhine, Danube and Oder disrupted scrap deliveries to the German steel industry.
The logistical problems forced greater reliance on road and rail transport in affected areas, increasing transportation costs.
These logistics issues should be viewed separately from the national export totals: the available reporting establishes disruptions to domestic scrap movements but does not demonstrate that they caused the overall January-August export result.
German Scrap Prices Remain Stable in October
German scrap prices remained broadly stable in October despite earlier expectations for increases amid stronger market activity.
Market reporting indicated that logistical bottlenecks and elevated transportation costs remained important considerations heading into November.
2025 Scrap Exports Reached 7.7 Million Tonnes
For comparison, Germany exported 7.7 million tonnes of ferrous scrap in 2025, up 5% year over year. The value of those exports totaled €4.54 billion.
Germany's scrap imports fell 9% in 2025 to 3.98 million tonnes, valued at €2.3 billion.
Courtesy: GMK Center
