【Ferro-alloys.com】: The steel market remains under pressure: demand is weak and imports are at record highs

The European Steel Association EUROFER has revised its forecast for apparent steel consumption in the EU in 2025, lowering the expected growth to +2.2% from the previous +3.8%. This reflects the ongoing difficulties in the sector amid global economic uncertainty, high energy costs and rising imports.

According to EUROFER’s latest forecast, the recession in Europe’s apparent steel consumption in 2024 will be deeper than expected: a drop of 2.3% instead of the previously forecast -1.8%. At the same time, the steel-consuming sectors also show weak dynamics: their decline in 2024 will deepen to -3.3% (against the previously expected -2.7%), and the projected growth in 2025 will slow to +0.9% (instead of +1.6%).

The problem of steel imports remains critical, reaching a historically high level of 28% of total consumption in the third quarter of 2024. At the same time, domestic supplies continued to fall (-2.3% after -1.6% in the previous quarter), which increases pressure on European producers.

“We can no longer tolerate a situation where external factors – massive dumping, uncompetitive energy and CO2 prices, weakening demand and geopolitical risks – are structurally undermining our industry,” said EUROFER CEO Axel Eggert.

The Association calls on the European Commission to take immediate action to stabilize the market, in particular by restricting imports and creating conditions to stimulate investment in decarbonization. It is expected that 2025 will be a key year for making decisions on the future of the European steel industry.

• [Editor:Alakay]