Turkish scrap imports slumped -39% on-year in September to 1.23 million tonnes, but their average value rose to $346/tonne versus $302/t in the year-earlier month, according to Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) data monitored by Kallanish.

Over 99%, or 1.22mt, of the September imports were obsolete scrap. US-origin intake dropped -30% to 263,548t, Russia-origin imports halved to 152,508t and intake from the UK plunged -54% to 143,164t.

Turkish semi-finished imports, meanwhile, fell -49% in September to 82,079t. Of this, 55,627t was HS code 720711 billet, of which 51,716t came from Russia, down -31%.

Turkish scrap imports in January-September nevertheless still rose 6% on-year to 15.81mt. Obsolete scrap comprised 15.61mt, of which the US supplied 2.77mt, up 17%. Supply from the UK and Russia reached 2.12mt and 1.91mt respectively, down -5% and up 13%.

Nine-month semis imports halved to 871,040t. HS code 720711 billet accounted for 615,558t, of which Russia and Ukraine supplied 329,576t and 122,802t respectively, down -30% and down -75%.

Despite the reduced scrap imports, Turkish rebar exports surged 20% in September to 547,610t, while nine-month exports rose 3% to 4.17mt (see Kallanish 12 November).