Australia: Flat-Rolled Steel Products Market 2025

Flat-Rolled Steel Products Market Size in Australia

In 2021, the Australian flat-rolled steel products market increased by 16% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Flat-rolled steel products consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Flat-Rolled Steel Products Production in Australia

In value terms, flat-rolled steel products production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 20%. Flat-rolled steel products production peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Flat-Rolled Steel Products Exports

Exports from Australia

In 2021, approx. X tons of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel were exported from Australia; falling by -23.1% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 179%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, flat-rolled steel products exports dropped rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 273% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

India (X tons), Sri Lanka (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) were the main destinations of flat-rolled steel products exports from Australia, together comprising 80% of total exports. New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates and Papua New Guinea lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 16%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +203.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, New Zealand ($X), India ($X) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for flat-rolled steel products exported from Australia worldwide, together comprising 76% of total exports. These countries were followed by Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea and the United Arab Emirates, which together accounted for a further 14%.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +66.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average flat-rolled steel products export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 9.6% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average export price increased by 34%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was New Zealand ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Sri Lanka ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to New Zealand (+9.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Flat-Rolled Steel Products Imports

Imports into Australia

In 2021, supplies from abroad of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, showed a slight reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, flat-rolled steel products imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a slight decline. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Japan (X tons) were the main suppliers of flat-rolled steel products imports to Australia, with a combined 71% share of total imports. These countries were followed by South Korea, Taiwan (Chinese) and France, which together accounted for a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for France (with a CAGR of +714.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel to Australia, comprising 36% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 17% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China stood at +80.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Japan (+22.3% per year) and Germany (+35.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average flat-rolled steel products import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 34% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the countries with the highest prices were China ($X per ton) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton), while the price for Germany ($X per ton) and France ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+1.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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