Posted on 17 Mar 2026
In the third quarter of 2025, apparent steel consumption in the European Union rose by 4.6% year-on-year following two consecutive quarters of decline, including a 1.7% drop in the previous quarter. Total consumption for July–September amounted to 32 million tons. This is stated in the EUROFER review for the first quarter of 2026.
The association notes that the improvement is largely attributable to the very low comparison base of the second half of 2024, as well as stronger-than-expected dynamics in certain market segments. Demand for steel in the EU began to decline in the second quarter of 2022 due to the war, high energy prices, and rising production costs, and in 2023–2024, negative pressures were exacerbated by global uncertainty, high interest rates, and industrial weakness.
Real steel consumption, which reflects end-use, also rose in the third quarter of 2025—by 3.5% year-over-year. This was the first increase after 11 consecutive quarters of decline. At the same time, EUROFER emphasizes that even with this improvement, restocking in the distribution chain is not expected until at least the end of 2026.
According to forecasts, apparent steel consumption in the EU is expected to grow by 2.4% for the full year 2025, while the pace of recovery will slow to 1.3% in 2026 and reach 1.4% in 2027. Real consumption, in turn, will decline by 0.2% in 2025, after which it will increase by 0.8% in 2026 and by 1.6% in 2027.
EUROFER expects that demand will be supported by a gradual improvement in steel-consuming sectors. At the same time, the association warns that the recovery will remain fragile due to weak industrial activity, trade uncertainty, and pressure from external risks.
As a reminder, in its previous EU steel market review, EUROFER expected a 3% recovery in apparent steel consumption in 2026. A 0.2% year-on-year decline was projected for 2025. In the second quarter of last year, steel consumption in the EU stood at 34.3 million tons, down 1.8% year-on-year. In January–March, this figure rose by 2.2% year-on-year.
Source:GMK Center
