United Kingdom: Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Market 2025

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

After three years of decline, the UK hot-rolled free-cutting steel market increased by 19% to $X in 2021. In general, the total consumption indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Hot-rolled free-cutting steel consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Production in the UK

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel production expanded markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 17%. Hot-rolled free-cutting steel production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Exports

Exports from the UK

For the third consecutive year, the UK recorded decline in shipments abroad of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels, which decreased by -29% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports saw a abrupt setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 224% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports fell to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 244% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Spain (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the main destinations of hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports from the UK, with a combined 43% share of total exports. Ireland, Germany, the United States and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 45%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +32.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X), Ireland ($X) and Germany ($X) were the largest markets for hot-rolled free-cutting steel exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 52% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Italy, Turkey, Spain and the Czech Republic, which together accounted for a further 37%.

The Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +32.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average hot-rolled free-cutting steel export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Sweden (+12.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2021, purchases abroad of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels increased by 87% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

France (X tons), Germany (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) were the main suppliers of hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports to the UK, with a combined 86% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Spain, Brazil, Italy and Ireland, which together accounted for a further 14%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Brazil (with a CAGR of +102.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest hot-rolled free-cutting steel suppliers to the UK were France ($X), Germany ($X) and the Czech Republic ($X), together accounting for 87% of total imports. Spain, Italy, Brazil and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

Among the main suppliers, Brazil, with a CAGR of +101.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average hot-rolled free-cutting steel import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 19% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 26% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the countries with the highest prices were the Czech Republic ($X per ton) and Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil ($X per ton) and Spain ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+0.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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