Global Iron or Steel Flexible Tubing Market to Reach $14.8B by 2030, Growing at a CAGR of 4.9%

IndexBox has just published a new report: World - Iron Or Steel Flexible Tubing - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.

The iron or steel flexible tubing market is expected to experience a steady rise in consumption over the next six years, with a forecasted CAGR of +3.1% in volume and +4.9% in value terms. By 2030, the market volume is projected to reach 1M tons and the market value to $14.8B in nominal prices.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for iron or steel flexible tubing worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next six years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.1% for the period from 2024 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.9% for the period from 2024 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $14.8B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Iron Or Steel Flexible Tubing

Global metal flexible tubing consumption amounted to 854K tons in 2024, surging by 1.9% on 2023. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

The global metal flexible tubing market value totaled $11.1B in 2024, increasing by 7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, the total consumption indicated a tangible increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -2.4% against 2022 indices. Global consumption peaked at $11.4B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were China (196K tons), the United States (107K tons) and India (71K tons), with a combined 44% share of global consumption. Italy, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, the UK, Germany and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +11.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($2.6B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($1.3B). It was followed by China.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States totaled +11.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (+3.6% per year) and China (+3.4% per year).

In 2024, the highest levels of metal flexible tubing per capita consumption was registered in Italy (991 kg per 1000 persons), followed by Saudi Arabia (454 kg per 1000 persons), Japan (323 kg per 1000 persons) and the United States (317 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of metal flexible tubing was estimated at 106 kg per 1000 persons.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the metal flexible tubing per capita consumption in Italy stood at +8.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (+9.3% per year) and Japan (+0.8% per year).

Production

World Production of Iron Or Steel Flexible Tubing

In 2024, global production of iron or steel flexible tubing rose to 861K tons, growing by 2.3% against 2023. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 16%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 869K tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, metal flexible tubing production expanded sharply to $10.6B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $11.1B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (279K tons) remains the largest metal flexible tubing producing country worldwide, accounting for 32% of total volume. Moreover, metal flexible tubing production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (92K tons), threefold. India (69K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 8% share.

In China, metal flexible tubing production expanded at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+7.0% per year) and India (+2.5% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Iron Or Steel Flexible Tubing

In 2024, global imports of iron or steel flexible tubing fell slightly to 199K tons, reducing by -1.7% on the year before. Overall, total imports indicated measured growth from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +7.5% against 2022 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 42%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at 258K tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, metal flexible tubing imports stood at $2.3B in 2024. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +7.0% against 2022 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 21%. Global imports peaked at $2.4B in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

The United States (22K tons) and Brazil (18K tons) represented roughly 20% of total imports in 2024. India (12K tons) held a 6% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Australia (5.9%) and Slovakia (5.3%). Guyana (7.6K tons), Italy (5.9K tons), Japan (5.5K tons), Canada (5.5K tons) and Germany (5K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Guyana (with a CAGR of +102.3%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($281M), the United States ($257M) and Germany ($118M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, with a combined 28% share of global imports. Australia, Canada, Japan, India, Italy, Guyana and Slovakia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 18%.

Among the main importing countries, Guyana, with a CAGR of +107.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2024, the average metal flexible tubing import price amounted to $11,778 per ton, with an increase of 4.1% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 an increase of 29% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $11,836 per ton. From 2023 to 2024, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($23,329 per ton), while Slovakia ($808 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+10.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Iron Or Steel Flexible Tubing

In 2024, the amount of iron or steel flexible tubing exported worldwide shrank modestly to 206K tons, leveling off at the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, total exports indicated pronounced growth from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports decreased by -6.7% against 2021 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 41%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 221K tons. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of the global exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, metal flexible tubing exports amounted to $2.9B in 2024. In general, total exports indicated a moderate expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports increased by +63.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 34% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2024 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

China represented the main exporting country with an export of around 84K tons, which finished at 41% of total exports. Denmark (18K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 8.8% share, followed by the UK (7.3%), France (6.2%) and India (4.8%). The following exporters - South Korea (6.9K tons), the United States (6.8K tons), Germany (6.3K tons), Turkey (6.2K tons) and Spain (5.4K tons) - each amounted to a 15% share of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +9.0% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, Denmark (+74.8%), India (+9.1%) and South Korea (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Denmark emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +74.8% from 2013-2024. Spain, Turkey and the UK experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United States (-2.2%), France (-4.0%) and Germany (-5.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+17 p.p.), Denmark (+8.8 p.p.) and India (+2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while the United States, the UK, Germany and France saw its share reduced by -3.1%, -3.2%, -5.7% and -8.6% from 2013 to 2024, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest metal flexible tubing supplying countries worldwide were the UK ($517M), China ($429M) and Germany ($275M), with a combined 42% share of global exports. France, Denmark, the United States, Spain, India, Turkey and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

Denmark, with a CAGR of +67.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2024, the average metal flexible tubing export price amounted to $14,090 per ton, picking up by 9.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average export price increased by 32%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $14,877 per ton. From 2017 to 2024, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($43,480 per ton), while China ($5,094 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+9.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform