- Global steel scrap prices followed a firm to upward trend during Q1 2026, supported by supply tightness, higher freight costs, and elevated energy-related costs across major markets. Turkey and the United States showed the strongest increases, while Europe was steadier and China recorded only limited gains.
- Feedstock conditions remained supportive through the quarter as constrained scrap availability, winter-related collection issues, and logistics disruptions kept raw material supply tight. In India, gas shortages also affected scrap and DRI-based secondary steel operations, adding pressure to raw material consumption.
- Downstream demand stayed mixed during the quarter. Stable mill buying supported prices in some markets, while weak rebar demand, slow construction recovery, and cautious steel procurement limited stronger gains in others.
Steel scrap prices recorded a generally upward trend in Q1 2026, driven mainly by tight raw material availability, rising freight costs, and higher energy-linked expenses across global markets. Turkey remained one of the strongest markets as supply shortages and freight disruptions kept scrap values supported, while US prices also increased on winter-related collection delays and stable mill demand.
Europe moved into a more balanced phase during the quarter, with earlier supply tightness easing and mills showing resistance to fresh increases, though costs remained supported by energy and transport pressure. China saw only a mild rise, as slower construction recovery and limited new project activity capped steel demand and scrap buying interest. In India, gas supply shortages disrupted secondary steelmakers using scrap and DRI (direct reduced iron), with some mills reducing output and rationing fuel, which added pressure to feedstock flows and market sentiment.