US scrap exports fall to lowest level in two decades in 2025 on rising domestic consumption

Better mill utilisation, higher crude steel output boost scrap demand. Turkiye remains top destination; Mexico imports drop 45%. Net scrap trade balance narrows to below 8 mnt on rising imports

US ferrous scrap exports totaled 12.1 million tonnes (mnt) in 2025, down 16% y-o-y from 14.5 mnt in 2024, marking the lowest level in over two decades (12 mnt in 2004). The decline in exports has been primarily driven by the impact of higher steel import tariffs, which have strengthened