Poland's Ferrous Scrap Exports Fall; Ukraine Imports Hit Record

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Poland’s ferrous scrap exports to countries outside the European Union declined by 8.6% year on year to 1.204 million tons in 2025, marking the first contraction after three consecutive years of growth.

The drop follows record shipments of 1.299 million tons in 2023 and 1.32 million tons in 2024. Despite the pullback, export volumes remain nearly 70% higher than the 2015–2025 average of 710,000 tons, highlighting Poland’s continued prominence in the global scrap supply chain.

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The moderation in exports was largely attributed to softer demand from key MENA and South Asian markets. Shipments to India fell 15.7% to 418,600 tons, while exports to Pakistan declined 9.5% to 80,800 tons. Supplies to Morocco saw a sharp 43.8% drop to 92,010 tons. In contrast, Turkey retained its position as the leading destination, with volumes rising 2.4% to 541,960 tons. Exports to the United States surged 2.2 times year on year to 68,560 tons.

On the import side, Poland’s scrap purchases from third countries jumped 28.6% to a record 340,000 tons, driven almost entirely by Ukraine. Analysts suggest that despite export restrictions, regional steel production—up 0.8% to 7.17 million tons—remains stable.