Global Expanded Metal Market 2025

Expanded Metal Market Size

After six years of growth, the global expanded metal market decreased by -7.2% to $X in 2022. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Global consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Expanded Metal Production

In value terms, expanded metal production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +52.7% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 14%. Global production peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Expanded Metal Exports

Exports

In 2022, overseas shipments of iron or steel expanded metal increased by 44% to X tons, rising for the sixth consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +116.7% against 2016 indices. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, expanded metal exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a strong increase. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

China prevails in exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was near 59% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Italy (X tons) and Mexico (X tons), together constituting a 13% share of total exports. The United States (X tons), the UK (X tons), Germany (X tons), Vietnam (X tons) and South Korea (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the iron or steel expanded metal exports, with a CAGR of +18.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Vietnam (+9.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. The United States, Germany and Mexico experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the UK (-1.1%), Italy (-1.7%) and South Korea (-2.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China increased by +39 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest expanded metal supplier worldwide, comprising 64% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Italy ($X), with an 8.8% share of global exports. It was followed by Mexico, with a 4.5% share.

In China, expanded metal exports increased at an average annual rate of +28.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Italy (+4.1% per year) and Mexico (+4.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average expanded metal export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 32% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, expanded metal export price increased by +69.6% against 2018 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue 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 Italy ($X per ton), while South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+8.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Expanded Metal Imports

Imports

Global expanded metal imports declined to X tons in 2022, with a decrease of -9.1% against 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, expanded metal imports reduced slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% 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 +74.1% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 45%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Imports by Country

France (X tons) and the United States (X tons) were the major importers of iron or steel expanded metal in 2022, resulting at approx. 13% and 13% of total imports, respectively. Russia (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Canada (X tons). All these countries together held near 11% share of total imports. Italy (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Mexico (X tons), Germany (X tons), Singapore (X tons) and Romania (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Slovakia (with a CAGR of +22.8%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest expanded metal importing markets worldwide were the United States ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X), together comprising 35% of global imports. Mexico, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Russia and Singapore lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.

Mexico, with a CAGR of +16.1%, recorded 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 global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average expanded metal import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 6.5% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 17%. Global import price peaked 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 Germany ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+7.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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