EU: Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Market 2025

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Market Size in the EU

The EU hot-rolled free-cutting steel market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a mild setback. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Production in the EU

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 8.6%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, overseas shipments of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons) represented the main exporter of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels, achieving 53% of total exports. It was distantly followed by France (X tons), Italy (X tons), Spain (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons), together achieving a 42% share of total exports.

Germany was also the fastest-growing in terms of the hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels exports, with a CAGR of +6.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, the Czech Republic (+5.6%) and Italy (+5.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Spain (-6.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Germany (+16 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while France and Spain saw its share reduced by -6% and -7.3% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the largest hot-rolled free-cutting steel supplier in the European Union, comprising 53% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a 25% share of total exports. It was followed by the Czech Republic, with a 5.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Germany stood at +7.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: France (-0.8% per year) and the Czech Republic (+6.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, surging by 46% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Germany ($X per ton) and France ($X per ton), while Spain ($X per ton) and Italy ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+1.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas purchases of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels, when their volume increased by 49% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Italy (X tons) represented the largest importer of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels, creating 52% of total imports. Germany (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 19% share, followed by Romania (7%) and Poland (6%). Spain (X tons), France (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports into Italy stood at +5.0%. At the same time, Romania (+54.9%) and Poland (+9.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Romania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +54.9% from 2012-2021. Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-1.4%), Germany (-2.0%) and France (-7.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Italy (+13 p.p.), Romania (+6.8 p.p.) and Poland (+3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of France (-4 p.p.) and Germany (-7.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels in the European Union, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with a 6.3% share.

In Italy, hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports expanded at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-3.1% per year) and Poland (+11.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, rising by 38% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+2.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :