scrap metals shortage
 

http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/daily-news/article.php?id=3804

Shortages of Chinese steel and Shimano parts continues to be the main topic of conversation at the Taiwan trade show. With lead-times on Deore parts now being 250 days, it's perhaps not surprising to hear that international buyers clapped when a product manager from one of the big global bike brands said 'this bike has no Shimano parts at all' in a show presentation. But it's not just a problem for Shimano speccers, prices are now so high for Asian raw materials that steel manhole covers are being stolen in Taiwan. Really.

Check out scrap prices here in the US. I can make 300 dollars a day with nothing but a pick-up truck and my back. Most places have stopped taking copper due to the extreme price fluxuations and sheet steel is a all time high (110.00 a ton in my area).

It is not just Asia.