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| Rolled steel |
France’s Steel Imports See a Decline
France imported 325,230 tons of rolled steel products from third countries between January and October 2024, a 9.4% decrease compared to the same period in 2023, according to GMK Center’s analysis of Eurostat data. Long rolled steel products dominated these imports, accounting for 189,540 tons—more than 58% of the total.
Flat product imports saw a sharp decline of 24.8% year-over-year (y/y), dropping to 135,690 tons. In contrast, imports of long products rose by 6.3% y/y. The primary steel categories imported included:
ㆍCoated flat products (HS 7210): 63,370 tons (+5.4% y/y)
ㆍRebar (HS 7214): 59,530 tons (-6.2% y/y)
ㆍAngles, shapes, and special sections (HS 7216): 38,330 tons (+1.4% y/y)
In October 2024, France imported 33,850 tons of rolled steel, a 6.6% decline compared to October 2023. Long product imports surged by 28.4% y/y to 23,430 tons, while flat product imports dropped by 42.1% y/y to 10,420 tons.
Exports Reflect Growth Amid Challenges
Despite declining imports, France’s steel exports grew by 3.9% y/y during the same period, reaching 1.39 million tons. Long product exports rose by 9.2% y/y to 331,310 tons, while flat product exports increased by 2.4% y/y to 1.06 million tons. The leading export categories were:
Flat products of other alloy steels (HS 7225): 380,920 tons (+6.6% y/y)
Hot-rolled flat products (HS 7208): 349,840 tons (-5.2% y/y)
Coated flat products (HS 7210): 203,620 tons (+7% y/y)
In October 2024, steel exports totaled 139,450 tons, a 20.6% decline from October 2023. Long product exports decreased by 14% y/y to 38,940 tons, while flat product exports fell by 22.9% y/y to 100,500 tons.
Broader Context in the European Steel Industry
These shifts in France’s steel trade align with broader challenges in the European steel sector. France’s steel production dropped by 17.4% y/y in 2023 to 10.01 million tons, with an average monthly output of 840,700 tons. Similarly, EU-wide steel production declined by 7.4% y/y to 126.3 million tons in 2023.
France’s steel trade trends reflect the dynamic global market and its vulnerabilities. The decline in imports and a modest rise in exports underline the adjustments France is making in response to shifting global demand and production challenges.
