Bangladesh: Imported scrap prices rise up to $5/t w-o-w amid global crunch; election uncertainty weighs on market

• • Firm global prices lift offers; Bangladesh cautious

• • Election uncertainty, weak rebar cap price upside

Bangladesh’s imported ferrous scrap prices were inched up w-o-w as of 21 January 2026, with containerised cargoes traded largely on the higher side even as buying interest in Chattogram and Dhaka remains slow. US- and Japan-origin bulk sellers continue to increase their fresh quotes as the global market is improving because of Turkish bookings and European scrap flow constraints.

BigMint’s weekly assessments:

• • European-origin HMS (80:20) assessed at $344/t, up by $1/t w-o-w.

• • European-origin containerised shredded increase by $4/t w-o-w to $367/t.

• • Japanese-origin H2 bulk stable w-o-w at $345/t.

• • US-origin HMS (80:20) bulk increase by $2/t w-o-w to $367/t.

As per a Chattogram-based scrap trader, containerised scrap offers from Australia/New Zealand were indicated at $365-370/t for shredded, with bids around $360/t, while HMS 80:20 was quoted at $350-355/t, against bid levels of $340-342/t.

Brazil-origin HMS (2-3% impurities) was heard to be workable at $340-345/t CFR Chattogram.

Hong Kongorigin PNS was heard at $365-370/t, with bid inquiries around $5/t lower, while Malaysia-origin busheling was quoted at $368-372/t, against bids of $362-365/t.

On the bulk side, Japanese scrap levels were largely unchanged w-o-w, with H2 quoted at $345-346/t and HS at $370-375/t, while bids were reported at $338/t for H2 and $360-365/t for HS. Bulk scrap offers from the US remain limited, with the last heard level around $370/t, as most volumes continue to be directed toward Turkiye.

Recent deals:

• • 1,000 t of Hong Kong-origin PNS sold at $370/t CFR Chattogram

• • 1,000 t of Singapore-origin PNS sold at $375/t CFR

• • 1,000 t of Hong Kong-origin PNS sold at $385/t CFR

• • 500 t of re-rollable PNS sold at $405-407/t CFR

Bangladesh: Rebar market

As per a Chattogram-based mill official, non-branded 500W-grade rebar prices in Bangladesh rose by up to BDT 2,000/t ($16/t) last week. A trader in Chattogram said most mainstream rebar brands were trading in the BDT 75,000-79,000/t range ($614-646/t), adding that no formal price hike has yet been announced by major producers.

Ship recycling: Despite recent arrivals keeping yards well supplied, Chattogram buyers remain active, particularly for large LDT vessels such as LNG carriers, tankers, and capes. Strong bidding has again lifted Bangladesh to the top of regional rankings, while smaller units continue to face resistance and are being diverted west. Buying interest persists despite softer fundamentals, with inflation at 8.49% in December, steel plate prices down $12/t to around $487/t, and the taka weakening to BDT 122.3/$.

Outlook:

Scrap prices in Bangladesh are likely to stay firm in the near term on rising global quotes and strong Turkish demand, though slow domestic buying and election-related caution are expected to exert their impact. Ship recyclers are likely to remain selective, focusing on large LDT vessels ahead of the 12 February elections.