Southern Asia: Cold-Rolled Steel Products Market 2025

Cold-Rolled Steel Products Exports

Exports in Southern Asia

Cold-rolled steel products exports shrank sharply to X tons in 2022, declining by -46.5% on the previous year. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 94% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cold-rolled steel products exports fell markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 206%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

India dominates exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 91% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - Pakistan (X tons) and Bangladesh (X tons) - together made up 7.1% of total exports.

Exports from India increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Pakistan (+24.7%) and Bangladesh (+3.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Pakistan emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Southern Asia, with a CAGR of +24.7% from 2012-2022. While the share of Pakistan (+3.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of India (-2.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, India ($X) remains the largest cold-rolled steel products supplier in Southern Asia, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Pakistan ($X), with a 3% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in India totaled +8.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Pakistan (+31.2% per year) and Bangladesh (+2.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Southern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a tangible increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 57% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

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 India ($X per ton), while Bangladesh ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Pakistan (+5.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Cold-Rolled Steel Products Imports

Imports in Southern Asia

In 2022, supplies from abroad of flat-rolled products of iron or steel (not further worked than cold-rolled) increased by 15% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cold-rolled steel products imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +128.8% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 70%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

India was the main importer of flat-rolled products of iron or steel (not further worked than cold-rolled) in Southern Asia, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was near 61% of total imports in 2022. Pakistan (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Bangladesh (X tons) and Nepal (X tons). All these countries together held near 34% share of total imports. Afghanistan (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

India experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of flat-rolled products of iron or steel (not further worked than cold-rolled). At the same time, Afghanistan (+17.9%), Nepal (+5.1%) and Bangladesh (+4.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Afghanistan emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Southern Asia, with a CAGR of +17.9% from 2012-2022. Pakistan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Bangladesh (+3.8 p.p.), Afghanistan (+3.3 p.p.) and Nepal (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Pakistan (-1.5 p.p.) and India (-7.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, India ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported flat-rolled products of iron or steel (not further worked than cold-rolled) in Southern Asia, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Pakistan ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Bangladesh, with a 7.1% share.

In India, cold-rolled steel products imports increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Pakistan (+6.0% per year) and Bangladesh (+5.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Southern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 17% against the previous year. Import price indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cold-rolled steel products import price increased by +55.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 33%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Pakistan (+6.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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