Eastern Europe: Expanded Metal Market 2025

Expanded Metal Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European expanded metal market shrank to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -6.2% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then declined in the following year.

Expanded Metal Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, expanded metal production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 37%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then dropped in the following year.

Expanded Metal Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, shipments abroad of iron or steel expanded metal decreased by -49.2% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. Overall, exports, however, saw a tangible expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 50%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, expanded metal exports declined markedly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 50%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then fell markedly in the following year.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the three major exporters of iron or steel expanded metal, namely Russia, Poland and the Czech Republic, represented more than two-thirds of total export. It was distantly followed by Ukraine (X tons) and Hungary (X tons), together achieving a 24% share of total exports. The following exporters - Romania (X tons) and Estonia (X tons) - together made up 6.2% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Romania (with a CAGR of +16.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest expanded metal supplying countries in Eastern Europe were the Czech Republic ($X), Poland ($X) and Hungary ($X), with a combined 69% share of total exports. Russia, Romania, Ukraine and Estonia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Romania, with a CAGR of +28.0%, recorded 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, increasing by 55% against the previous year. Export price indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its price 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, expanded metal export price increased by +146.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 59% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

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 Romania ($X per ton), while Ukraine ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+9.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Expanded Metal Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, imports of iron or steel expanded metal in Eastern Europe reduced to X tons, falling by -13.7% against the year before. In general, imports, however, recorded strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, expanded metal imports rose modestly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Russia (X tons), distantly followed by Slovakia (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Romania (X tons) and Poland (X tons) represented the major importers of iron or steel expanded metal, together comprising 86% of total imports. Hungary (X tons) and Lithuania (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Lithuania (with a CAGR of +25.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest expanded metal importing markets in Eastern Europe were the Czech Republic ($X), Romania ($X) and Slovakia ($X), together comprising 52% of total imports. Poland, Russia, Hungary and Lithuania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Lithuania, with a CAGR of +24.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, 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, rising by 20% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+7.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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