Middle East: Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Market 2025

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Market Size in the Middle East

In 2022, the Middle Eastern non-alloy steel u-section market decreased by -9% to $X, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, consumption, however, saw a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 4.5%. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Production in the Middle East

In value terms, non-alloy steel u-section production surged to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, production attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, shipments abroad of u-sections of non-alloy steel increased by 6.6% to X tons, rising for the fifth consecutive year after three years of decline. In general, exports recorded a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 52% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, non-alloy steel u-section exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 53%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Turkey dominates exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was near 82% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Oman (X tons), committing a 9.3% share of total exports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons), Palestine (X tons) and Iran (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to non-alloy steel u-section exports from Turkey stood at +9.9%. At the same time, Oman (+60.7%), Palestine (+57.6%) and Iran (+41.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Oman emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +60.7% from 2012-2022. The United Arab Emirates experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Oman (+9.1 p.p.), Palestine (+2.9 p.p.) and Iran (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Turkey (-6.4 p.p.) and the United Arab Emirates (-6.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest non-alloy steel u-section supplier in the Middle East, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Oman ($X), with a 7.3% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 3.4% share.

In Turkey, non-alloy steel u-section exports expanded at an average annual rate of +11.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Oman (+57.6% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+0.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, growing by 9% against the previous year. Export price indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, non-alloy steel u-section export price increased by +60.2% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 47% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Turkey ($X per ton) and the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) and Iran ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+1.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, approx. X tons of u-sections of non-alloy steel were imported in the Middle East; waning by -18.8% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports recorded a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, non-alloy steel u-section imports shrank dramatically to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which recorded 49% of total imports. Israel (X tons) took a 14% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Iraq (9.4%), Turkey (6.6%) and Qatar (4.5%). The following importers - Oman (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons) - each reached a 6.6% share of total imports.

The United Arab Emirates experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of u-sections of non-alloy steel. At the same time, Kuwait (+10.1%) and Israel (+5.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +10.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Qatar (-3.7%), Iraq (-8.6%), Oman (-11.3%) and Turkey (-14.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+28 p.p.), Israel (+11 p.p.), Kuwait (+2.8 p.p.) and Qatar (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Turkey saw its share reduced by -5.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Israel ($X) and Turkey ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 70% share of total imports. Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.

Kuwait, with a CAGR of +12.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. Import price indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, non-alloy steel u-section import price increased by +37.5% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 39%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell slightly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while Iraq ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (+4.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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