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Economic and market outlook
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The European Steel Association regularly monitors the economic conditions on the steel market, including apparent and real consumption, imports and exports, production levels and the performance of the main steel-using sectors.
The culmination of this ongoing work are the four quarterly Economic and Market Outlook reports, which contain the most recent available data that is publically disseminable. More information about when these are released can be found in the statistics publication calendar.
Annually, EUROFER also produces a European Steel in Figures guide, collating the most recent full yeat's worth of data. That can be found in the downloads and links block below.
Brussels, 06 February 2025 – The economic and geopolitical conditions that have affected the European steel market over the past two years show no signs of improvement and have further deepened their negative impact on the sector in 2024. Growing uncertainty continues to weigh also on 2025 and 2026, with the outlook hinging on unpredictable developments especially as regards international trade. According to EUROFER’s latest Economic and Steel Market Outlook, the recession in apparent steel consumption in 2024 will be steeper than previously projected (-2.3%, down from -1.8%) and the expected recovery in 2025 has now been downgraded (+2.2%, down from +3.8%). Similarly, steel-using sectors’ recession has been revised downwards for 2024 (-3.3% from -2.7%), while growth projections for 2025 have also been lowered (+0,9% from +1.6%). Some acceleration is not expected until 2026 (+2.1%). Steel imports remain at historically high levels (28%) also in the third quarter of 2024.
First quarter 2025 report. Data up to, and including, third quarter 2024
Fourth quarter 2024 report. Data up to, and including, second quarter 2024