US: RMDAS ferrous scrap index remains largely stable in June

• Domestic steel demand continues supporting scrap prices
  
  
• Turkish weakness limits US export opportunities
  
  

The RMDAS ferrous scrap index showed largely stable trends on 21 June 2026 compared with 21 May. Shredded scrap prices inched up by $1/t to $433/t, while HMS prices increased by $3/t to $382/t. Meanwhile, the prompt industrial composite scrap index strengthened by $1/t to $471/t.

US steel mills have purchased benchmark scrap grades within a narrow price range since February, reflecting stable domestic market conditions. Scrap buyers continued to pay largely unchanged prices for prompt grades through late May and the first three weeks of June, supported by strong steel demand, firm finished steel prices, and mill utilisation rates above 80%.

However, sentiment in the export market remained subdued. Market participants noted that recyclers and processors looking ahead to July trade are closely monitoring overseas demand, particularly in Turkiye, where HMS 80:20 import prices softened to $390-392/t CFR amid weak rebar demand and cautious mill buying, limiting export opportunities for US suppliers.