Alloy steel in primary forms and alloy steel semi-finished products market in Ireland

Earlier Report Observations

The market for alloy steel in primary forms and semi-finished products in Ireland expanded from USD 3.8 million in 2018 to USD 8.7 million in 2024. An early catalyst was the 2018 research funding awarded in the UK to integrate physical testing with computational modeling, aiming to cut alloy steel production time. This investment in efficiency improvements supported subsequent growth in domestic production capacity.

Market volume jumped to USD 6.7 million in 2019 and held steady near USD 6.8 million through 2021. The significant rise by 2024 was driven by a resilient post-pandemic recovery in Ireland's construction sector, specifically in steel formwork, which increased demand for alloy steel semi-finished products. Global steel price stabilization, aided by Chinese economic stimulus and worldwide infrastructure spending, concurrently eased supply-side pressures.

Irish Steel's 2024 industry report underscored the sector's shift toward sustainability and technological innovation, reflecting evolving consumer preferences that further influenced market development during the period.

Production alloy steel in primary forms and alloy steel semi-finished products in Ireland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Ireland's production of alloy steel in primary forms and semi-finished products was valued at 4,786 thousand US dollars, marking a modest 3.9% decline compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 19.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3,421 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 4,980 thousand US dollars. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 with a 14.6% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 45.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. In 2019, Ireland reached its highest production volume of alloy steel in primary forms and semi-finished products, while the lowest was in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1.7 times. In 2020, production amounted to 2,542 tonnes, representing a moderate 5.8% decrease from the previous year. The minimum value was 1,544 tonnes in 2018, and the maximum was 2,699 tonnes in 2019. The largest decline was 12.3% in 2018, and the largest increase was 74.7% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports alloy steel in primary forms and alloy steel semi-finished products from Ireland

Exports in kind, t

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Exports peaked in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2017, with a 28-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ireland's cross-border shipments of alloy steel in primary forms and semi-finished products reached 48.9 tonnes, indicating a 31.1% reduction compared to the previous year. The maximum value was 71.0 tonnes in 2019, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a surge of 1,394.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Ireland's export structure in kind, accounting for 91.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ireland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. There was a 2.5-fold variation between the maximum in 2019 and the minimum in 2017. In 2020, Ireland's shipments of alloy steel in primary forms and semi-finished products abroad amounted to 123 thousand US dollars, showing a 42.4% loss from the previous year. The maximum value was 213 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the largest increase was 133.7% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ireland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States concentrated most of Ireland's exports in value terms, taking 73.3% of total flows, with a fragmented tail of other markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ireland in value, 2017-2020

Imports alloy steel in primary forms and alloy steel semi-finished products to Ireland

Imports in kind, t

Ireland's imports of alloy steel in primary forms and semi-finished products increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Ireland imported a total of 162.1 tonnes, reflecting a steep rise of 141.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 749.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 104.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and France consistently remained the main sources for imports in kind, with shares of 44.6%, 18.0%, and 15.1% respectively, together accounting for 77.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ireland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Ireland's imports of alloy steel in primary forms and semi-finished products increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 2,093 thousand US dollars, showing a gain of 10.5% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 764.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of 105.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ireland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—the United States, the United Kingdom, and France—remained central to Ireland's imports in value terms, together taking 90.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ireland in value, 2017-2020