The total volume of scrap metal traded in Bulgaria in 2012 amounted to 1 711 608 tonnes worth BGN 1.964 B, according to a survey of the Bulgarian Recycling Association (BAR) based on data of the Ministry of Economy and Energy, the Customs Agency, and recycling companies in the country.
According to the data, the total volume of scrap metal traded in Bulgaria in 2012 decreased by 384 692 tonnes compared to the total amount of 2 096 300 tonnes sold in 2011.
The value declined by BGN 206 M from the level of BGN 2.170 B in 2011.
Trade in steel and cast iron fell by around 19%, to a total of 1 574 878 tonnes in 2012, trade in aluminum decreased by around 23.5% to 34 879 tonnes in 2012 and trade in brass, zinc and lead dropped by over 55% to 9 005 tonnes in 2012.
Positive trends were only registered in sales of copper and car batteries, with copper posting an increase by around 40% to 92 846 tonnes in 2012, while car batteries went up by around 6% to 29.9 thousand tones.
Decreases were registered in the import, export, domestic consumption, and domestic production of raw materials.
The decline was chiefly attributed to the pressure in the sector triggered by the entry into force of a set of restrictive requirements included in the Waste Management Act and the process of bringing into the light grey market trade in ferrous and nonferrous metals.
A decrease in prices of raw materials was also recorded in 2012, which is believed to be the explanation for the 36% decline in car thefts.