Germany: Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Market 2025

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Market Size in Germany

In 2021, the German hot-rolled free-cutting steel market decreased by -92.1% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, consumption saw a precipitous slump. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Production in Germany

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a mild contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 16%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Exports

Exports from Germany

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels, when their volume increased by 111% to X tons. In general, exports saw strong growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded resilient growth. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Italy (X tons) was the main destination for hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports from Germany, with a 38% share of total exports. Moreover, hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports to Italy exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the United States (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Turkey (X tons), with a 9.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Italy totaled +9.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+8.1% per year) and Turkey (+20.9% per year).

In value terms, Italy ($X) remains the key foreign market for hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels exports from Germany, comprising 36% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Turkey, with an 8.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Italy totaled +10.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+10.3% per year) and Turkey (+21.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average hot-rolled free-cutting steel export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 39% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major overseas markets. In 2021, the countries with the highest prices were the United States ($X per ton) and China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to France ($X per ton) and Turkey ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Canada (+2.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Imports

Imports into Germany

In 2021, supplies from abroad of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels increased by 5.9% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, saw a pronounced setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 41%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports surged to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 75% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Switzerland (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of hot-rolled free-cutting steel to Germany, accounting for a 59% share of total imports. Moreover, hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports from Switzerland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the Czech Republic (X tons), fourfold. Poland (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Switzerland totaled +15.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Czech Republic (+23.5% per year) and Poland (+23.0% per year).

In value terms, Switzerland ($X) constituted the largest supplier of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels to Germany, comprising 60% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Czech Republic ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Switzerland amounted to +16.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Czech Republic (+18.1% per year) and Poland (+24.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average hot-rolled free-cutting steel import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 44% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a mild downturn. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the price for France ($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 UK (+5.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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