According to Kallanish, citing data from the federal statistical office Destatis, German ferrous scrap exports in January-February 2026 remained virtually at last year's level. Total shipments amounted to 1.26 million tons, with a value reaching €568 million. For the European market, this indicates the relative stability of the raw material segment despite pressure from energy costs, changing trade routes, and international logistics instability.
Supply Structure Shifts Despite Stable Total Volume
Although total exports showed no significant deviations, the geography of shipments shifted noticeably. The most prominent was a nearly 20% year-on-year increase in exports to Italy, signaling intensified demand from local electric arc furnace steelmakers. Meanwhile, shipments to the Netherlands decreased by 19%, which may reflect a revision of logistics chains or changes in domestic consumption patterns.
The price situation in Germany remained relatively flat in April. Average quotations were €295/t for E3 scrap and €305/t for E2/8 and E40 grades. This dynamic suggests that the market is currently maintaining a balance between cost pressures and current demand, although participants already expect price increases in May due to rising transportation and freight costs.
The long-term context also shows that the German scrap market remains one of the key players in Europe. By the end of 2025, the country increased ferrous scrap exports by 5% year-on-year to 7.7 million tons, valued at €4.54 billion. Simultaneously, scrap imports fell by 9% to 3.98 million tons, consistent with lower steel production volumes in Germany.
Impact on the Metal Market and Practical Value for winox.ua
For industrial market participants, current statistics are important not only as an indicator of the scrap segment's health but also as a signal for the entire supply chain of metal raw materials and rolled products. If transportation costs in Europe continue to rise against the backdrop of the tense situation in the Middle East, it could affect steel production costs, delivery times, and pricing policies in related markets. In such conditions, businesses are increasingly focused on supplier reliability and predictable contract terms.
This is why cooperation with suppliers capable of ensuring stable prices and continuous shipments is of particular importance for manufacturing and trading companies. winox.ua works with rolled metal, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals, helping clients mitigate risks associated with market volatility and logistical shifts. Amid fluctuations in the raw materials segment, this supply model serves as a practical tool for maintaining production schedules and procurement planning.
The stability of German scrap exports, combined with changes in flow structure, demonstrates that the European market is not in a crisis phase but is reacting quickly to local demand and transportation factors. For metal consumers, this highlights the need to closely monitor not just prices, but also routes, deadlines, and product availability. In the coming months, logistics may become the primary factor determining market dynamics in the raw metal and rolled products segments.