Poland increased imports of rolled products from third countries by 25% y/y in January-September

In January-September 2024, Poland increased its imports of rolled steel from third countries by 25.1% compared to the same period in 2023, to 1.66 million tons. This is based on GMK Center’s calculations based on Eurostat data.

Imports of long products increased by 6.9% y/y – to 422.28 thousand tons, and flat products by 32.8% y/y – to 1.24 million tons. Hot-rolled flat products accounted for the largest volumes of supply, with 693.79 thousand tons (+27.8% y/y), coated flat products – 338.11 thousand tons (+68.6% y/y), cold-rolled flat products – 144.35 thousand tons (+19.6% y/y), and wire rod – 102.26 thousand tons (+3% y/y).

“Poland traditionally imports a lot of flat products, as the country does not have sufficient capacity for its domestic production. At the same time, there is a potential to displace imports, including through the launch of the Huta Czestochowa plant, which can produce up to 1 million tons of plates. The extent to which this potential will be realized will depend on the actions of the investor who will take control of the plant,” said Andriy Glushchenko, GMK Center analyst.

Ukraine, China, South Korea and India account for about 70% of imports. In particular, Ukrainian producers shipped 666.65 thousand tons of rolled products to the Polish market, up 54.1% compared to January-September 2023. Ukraine imported 476.42 thousand tons of flat products (+60.9% y/y) and 190.24 thousand tons of long products (+39.3%).

China shipped 175.88 thousand tons of rolled steel to Poland (+6.5% y/y), with the bulk of it being long products – 134.84 thousand tons (+5.4%). South Korea accounted for 146.78 thousand tons of supplies (+69.3% y/y), and India – 141.85 thousand tons (+23%). Turkey imported 41.9 thousand tons of products (-3.7% y/y), and the UK – 36.34 thousand tons (-21.2%).

Exports of rolled steel products from Poland in 9M2024 amounted to 223.11 thousand tons (-5.5% y/y), including 123.43 thousand tons (+0.3%) of long products and 99.67 thousand tons (-11.8%) of flat products. The key export destination is Ukraine – 76.59 thousand tons (-8.6% y/y).

As GMK Center reported earlier, in 2023, Poland reduced steel production by 13.1% compared to 2022, to 6.44 million tons. Last year, the average monthly steel production in Poland amounted to 536.42 thousand tons, while in 2022 the figure was 617.25 thousand tons (-13.09% y/y).

Last year, Poland reduced imports of rolled metal products from third countries by 14% compared to 2022, to 1.77 million tons. Steel exports increased by 15.2% y/y – to 318.8 thousand tons.