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European Steel in Figures 2021
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European Steel in Figures 2020 is the European Steel Association’s (EUROFER) statistical guide. It shows a sector that has experienced a challenging year in 2020, with employment levels having fallen and demand collapsing, largely as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. In 2020, imports fell further, continuing the trend seen in 2019 but again, largely due to the drop in domestic demand brought on by the pandemic.
This new European Steel in Figures 2021 guide updates the trade map, showing imports and exports from the EU in an easy-to-understand way, breaking down previously hard to read figures. Additionally, the sustainability section of the guide has been updated with the latest 2020 data, now including refreshed information on slag production by the steel industry and its use by other downstream sectors.
All these statistics help give an overview of the European steel industry today. Awareness of the employment, production, demand and trade challenges that face the sector ensure a greater understanding of our strategically important sector. With this in mind, I hope you enjoy using European Steel in Figures 2021.
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Brussels, 11 September 2025 – The lack of a solution for steel in the EU-U.S. trade negotiations, the ongoing unpredictability of the global geoeconomic situation, and persistently weak demand against an ever-growing global steel overcapacity are squeezing the European steel market. In 2025, the outlook points to stagnation, with potential recovery only in 2026 — conditional on improvements in the global economy and an easing of trade tensions. According to EUROFER’s latest Economic and Steel Market Outlook, another recession both in apparent steel consumption (-0.2%, revised upwards from -0.9%) and in steel-using sectors (-0.7%, revised downwards from -0.5%) is confirmed for 2025. Growth prospects are now delayed at least to 2026, with projections of a rebound for both apparent steel consumption (+3.1%) and steel-using sectors (+1.8%). However, steel imports continue to hold historically high market shares (25%) in 2025.
Third quarter 2025 report. Data up to, and including, first quarter 2025
Brussels, 10 September 2025 – Reacting to today’s State of the Union Address delivered by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Axel Eggert, Director General of the European Steel Association (EUROFER) said: