Europe: Flat-Rolled Steel Products Market 2025

Flat-Rolled Steel Products Market Size in Europe

The Europe flat-rolled steel products market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. Overall, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 6%. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Flat-Rolled Steel Products Production in Europe

In value terms, flat-rolled steel products production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, production attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Flat-Rolled Steel Products Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, the amount of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel exported in Europe shrank to X tons, standing approx. at the year before. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 6% against the previous year. 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, flat-rolled steel products exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the key exporters of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel in 2021, recording approx. 27% and 23% of total exports, respectively. Slovakia (X tons) held a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by France (10%), Spain (8.2%) and Belgium (5.5%). Serbia (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Serbia (with a CAGR of +9.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Slovakia ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 64% of total exports. France, Spain, Belgium and Serbia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

Among the main exporting countries, Serbia, with a CAGR of +9.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, 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 Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 18% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+0.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Flat-Rolled Steel Products Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2021, imports of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel in Europe shrank slightly to X tons, declining by -4.3% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 6.6% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

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

Imports by Country

Italy represented the key importer of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel in Europe, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was near 26% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by France (X tons), Poland (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Spain (X tons), Germany (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Belgium (X tons), together achieving a 43% share of total imports. The Czech Republic (X tons), Hungary (X tons), Greece (X tons), Ukraine (X tons) and Portugal (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to flat-rolled steel products imports into Italy stood at +2.2%. At the same time, Poland (+4.0%), the Czech Republic (+3.9%), Russia (+2.2%), Greece (+1.3%) and Germany (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +4.0% from 2012-2021. Portugal, the Netherlands, Ukraine and Hungary experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, France (-4.0%), Belgium (-4.4%) and Spain (-7.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Italy (+5.8 p.p.) and Poland (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Belgium (-1.9 p.p.), France (-2.7 p.p.) and Spain (-5.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel in Europe, comprising 25% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a 7.4% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 7.2% share.

In Italy, flat-rolled steel products imports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (-3.7% per year) and the Netherlands (-0.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 21% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in the Netherlands ($X per ton) and France ($X per ton), while Belgium ($X per ton) and Ukraine ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+1.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform