France increased steel production by 7.6% y/y in 2024

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. Thus, the country ranked 17th in the global ranking of steel-producing countries (71) by the WorldSteel Association.

In December 2024, French steelmakers produced 753 thousand tons of steel, down 22.1% month-on-month and 2% more than in December 2023. Production volumes have fallen to their lowest level since July, which may indicate a slowdown in steel demand due to seasonal factors, problems in the automotive sector, and market saturation with imported products.

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

In general, steel production in the EU countries increased by 2.6% in 2024 compared to 2023 – to 129.5 million tons. Global steel production for the year amounted to 1.84 billion tons, down 0.9% year-on-year.

As a reminder, in 2023, France reduced steel production by 17.4% compared to 2022, to 10.01 million tons. The average monthly steel production for the year amounted to 840.7 thousand tons, while in 2022 the figure was 1.01 million tons (-16.76% y/y).

Steel production in the European Union amounted to 126.3 million tons in 2023, down 7.4% y/y.

There are 11 steel mills in France, including ArcelorMittal Dunkerque (2.25 million tons of steel per year), Saarstahl Ascoval Saint-Saulve (730 thousand tons per year), LME Trith-Saint-Léger (820 thousand tons per year), Ascometal Hagondange (825 thousand tons per year), Riva Sam Neuves-Maisons (850 thousand tons per year), and Riva Sam Neuves-Maisons (850 thousand tons per year), 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 steel production capacity of the plants reaches 12.09 million tons per year.