Eastern Europe: Market for Hot-Rolled Bars In Bearing Steels 2025

Market Size for Hot-Rolled Bars In Bearing Steels in Eastern Europe

In 2022, the East European hot-rolled bearing steel bar market increased by 24% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, saw a slight reduction. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Hot-Rolled Bars In Bearing Steels in Eastern Europe

In value terms, hot-rolled bearing steel bar production shrank slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a perceptible decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 8.7% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Hot-Rolled Bars In Bearing Steels

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, overseas shipments of hot-rolled bars in bearing steels decreased by -8.2% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Total exports indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +21.3% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, hot-rolled bearing steel bar exports expanded remarkably to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +63.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 52% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Russia (X tons) represented the key exporter of hot-rolled bars in bearing steels, mixing up 42% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Poland (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Romania (X tons), Belarus (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons), together comprising a 54% share of total exports. Lithuania (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to hot-rolled bearing steel bar exports from Russia stood at +4.4%. At the same time, Lithuania (+35.2%), Bulgaria (+25.6%), Romania (+17.9%), Belarus (+14.3%) and Poland (+12.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Lithuania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +35.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-1.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Belarus and Lithuania increased by +8.3, +6.7, +4.2, +3.5 and +3.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Czech Republic ($X), Russia ($X) and Poland ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 67% of total exports. Romania, Belarus, Bulgaria and Lithuania lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

Lithuania, with a CAGR of +37.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 18% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 31%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belarus (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Hot-Rolled Bars In Bearing Steels

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, overseas purchases of hot-rolled bars in bearing steels decreased by -13% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Total imports indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +11.8% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 37%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, hot-rolled bearing steel bar imports expanded markedly to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw temperate growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 73% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Romania (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the major importers of hot-rolled bars in bearing steels in 2022, recording near 22% and 19% of total imports, respectively. Belarus (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by the Czech Republic (X tons), Lithuania (X tons), Hungary (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons) and Slovakia (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 54% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Lithuania (with a CAGR of +36.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Poland ($X), Romania ($X) and the Czech Republic ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 56% of total imports. Belarus, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovakia and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 39%.

Lithuania, with a CAGR of +36.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the import price increased by 27%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while Lithuania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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