Exclusive France increased steel production by 10.4% y/y in March

During the first quarter, French steelmakers increased their output by 2.1% y/y

In March 2025, French steelmakers increased steel production by 10.4% compared to March 2024, to 921 thousand tons. Thus, the country has risen to 18th place in the global ranking of steel-producing countries (69) by the WorldSteel Association.

The country’s production volumes increased by 0.7% month-on-month. Between January and March, the industry produced 2.59 million tons of steel, up 2.1% year-on-year but down 3.9% quarter-on-quarter.

Overall, EU steelmakers increased steel production by 0.2% y/y – to 11.7 million tonnes in March 2025, and decreased by 2.5% y/y – to 32.4 million tonnes in January-March.

As a reminder, in 2024, French steelmakers increased steel production by 7.6% compared to 2023, to 10.76 million tons. The figure recovered after a significant drop of 17.5% in 2023.

The average monthly steel production in 2024 amounted to 896.25 thousand tons, while in 2023 it was 833 thousand tons, and in 2022 – 1.01 million tons.

There are 11 metallurgical enterprises in France, including ArcelorMittal Dunkerque (2.25 million tons of steel per year), Saarstahl Ascoval Saint-Saulve (730 kt/y), LME Trith-Saint-Léger (820 kt/y), Ascometal Hagondange (825 kt/y), Riva Sam Neuves-Maisons (850 kt/y), and Riva Sam Neuves-Maisons (850 kt/y), Riva Sam Montereau (720 kt/y), Riva Alpa Gargenville (700 kt/y), Riva Iton Seine Bonnieres Sur Seine (550 kt/y), Celsa France Boucau (1.2 million t/y), ArcelorMittal Méditerranée Fos sur Mer (2.55 million t/y), Ascometal Fos sur Mer (900 kt/y). The total capacity of the plants is 12.09 million tons per year.