The EU reduced imports of direct reduced iron by 23.8% y/y in 10 months

In January–October 2025, the European Union reduced its imports of direct reduced iron (DRI) by 23.8% y/y – to 1.72 million tons. Despite the overall decline, the structure of imports underwent significant changes, indicating a reorientation of supply chains, according to GMK Center calculations based on Eurostat data.

Venezuela became the key supplier of DRI to the European Union during the reporting period, exporting 562.14 thousand tons of products, increasing supplies by 2.1 times y/y. The dynamics in this direction show a steady increase in volumes: in 2023, the EU imported 133 thousand tons of Venezuelan DRI, and in 2024 – 293.98 thousand tons. The significant growth confirms a change in the geography of imports against the backdrop of a reduction in supplies from traditional destinations.

At the same time, Russia, which was previously the main supplier of DRI to the EU, significantly reduced its exports. In January-October, Russian companies shipped 525,960 tons of products, which is 40.9% less y/y. The main importers of Russian DRI remained Italy (266.44 thousand tons, down 41.8% year-on-year) and Belgium (135.27 thousand tons, down 14.7% year-on-year). Poland and Spain imported 55 thousand tons (-64.3% y/y) and 69.2 thousand tons (-19.2% y/y), respectively.

Among other suppliers, the US sent 332.94 thousand tons of DRI to the EU, increasing volumes by 22.6% y/y. Libya, on the contrary, reduced exports to 193.43 thousand tons (-54.3% y/y).

The main importers of direct reduced iron to the EU in the first 10 months of 2025 were Italy – 770.35 thousand tons (+27.8% y/y), Austria – 312.21 thousand tons (+44.5% y/y), and Spain – 209.79 thousand tons (+4% y/y). The resumption of supplies to these countries partially offset the sharp drop in imports from Germany and the Netherlands. In particular, Germany reduced its purchases from 438.45 thousand tons in January–October 2024 to 25.63 thousand tons in 2025, and the Netherlands – from 310.41 thousand tons to 115.14 thousand tons.

In October, the EU imported 177.73 thousand tons of DRI, which is 6.6% more year-on-year and 67.4% more month-on-month. Venezuela supplied 77.26 thousand tons (+130% y/y; +204% m/m) during the month, while the US supplied 35.4 thousand tons (+404% y/y; -9.1% m/m). Russia shipped 51.28 thousand tons (-48.7% y/y; there were no shipments in September), and Libya – 9.48 thousand tons (-58.9% y/y; +1.6% m/m).

In 2024, the EU increased imports of direct reduced iron from third countries by 5.4% compared to 2023, to 2.75 million tons. In 2023, there was an 11.1% year-on-year decline. The largest importers of DRI among EU member states last year were Italy – 659,730 tons (-23.7% year-on-year), the Netherlands – 527.27 thousand tons (+423%), and Germany – 438.46 thousand tons (-33.5%).