Germany imported 630.9 thousand tons of steel from third countries in January-October

In January-October 2024, Germany reduced imports of rolled steel products from third countries by 5.3% compared to the same period in 2023, to 630.91 thousand tons. This is evidenced by GMK Center’s calculations based on Eurostat data.

Imports of flat products decreased by 5.8% y/y over 10 months and long products by 5.2% y/y – to 133.37 thousand tons and 497.54 thousand tons, respectively. Long products accounted for more than 78% of total steel imports to Germany in January-October 2024.

The bulk of imports were wire rod (HS 7213) – 140.77 thousand tons (+104.6% y/y), rebar (HS 7214) – 84.33 thousand tons (-32.3% y/y), and other rods and bars, hollow bars and bars for drilling (HS 7228) – 63.26 thousand tons (-36.2% y/y).

In October, imports of rolled steel products to Germany amounted to 70.25 thousand tons, down 8.8% y/y. Supplies of long products decreased by 15.5% y/y – to 49.56 thousand tons, and flat products by 12.5% y/y – to 20.69 thousand tons.

Steel exports from Germany increased by 12% y/y over 10 months to 3.15 million tons. In particular, exports of long products increased by 11.5% y/y – to 1.28 thousand tons, and flat products by 12.4% y/y – to 1.87 million tons.

The largest exports were of coated flat products (HS 7210) – 723.39 thousand tons (+32.2% y/y), angles, shapes and special profiles of non-alloy steel (HS 7216) – 419 thousand tons (+31.5% y/y), and flat products of other alloy steels (HS 7228) – 411.62 thousand tons (+13.3% y/y).

In October, Germany exported 333.33 thousand tons of rolled steel, which is 21.2% more than in October 2023. Exports of long products increased by 30.5% y/y – to 147.15 thousand tons, and flat products by 14.8% y/y – to 186.18 thousand tons.

As GMK Center reported earlier, Germany is among the ten largest steel producers in the world according to World Steel. In 2023, the country decreased steel production by 3.9% year-on-year – to 35.4 million tons, ranking 8th in the global ranking of producing countries.

Imports of rolled steel products decreased by 31.9% last year compared to 2022, to 759.99 thousand tons. Steel exports decreased by 7.8% compared to 2022 to 3.36 million tons.