Posted on 06 Oct 2026
EU steel imports fell by 5% year on year in the first half of 2026, according to the European Steel Association (EUROFER)’s latest Economic and Steel Market Outlook.
Steel imports dropped by 10% in the first quarter, while apparent steel consumption increased by 1.5%. As a result, imported steel accounted for 23% of EU consumption, down sharply from the record 37% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025. In the second quarter, imports continued to decline, falling by 2% year on year.
Finished steel imports decreased by 3% during the first six months. Flat steel imports rose 2%, while long steel imports fell 18% and represented 19% of total finished steel imports.
Turkey was the EU’s largest supplier with a 15.7% share, followed by China at 12.3% and South Korea at 12%. Imports from Indonesia and China increased by 70% and 40%, respectively, while shipments from Vietnam, Turkey, Ukraine and South Korea declined.
Source:Yieh
