Iron and steel wire market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German iron and steel wire market began the period at 1 494 thousand tons in 2019 but contracted to 1 372 thousand tons in 2020. This decline was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted demand in steel-consuming industries, and a sharp rise in energy costs that forced production adjustments in the energy-intensive steel sector.

Market volume recovered to 1 483 thousand tons in 2021. A key supportive factor was the EU's provisional safeguard measures—tariff quotas on certain steel products—which were designed to prevent trade diversion and protect EU producers from cheap imports. By 2022, however, the market shrank again to 1 338 thousand tons amid persistent high energy expenses and competitive pressures from low-cost imports.

The downward trend continued, with the market falling to 1 084 thousand tons in 2024. During these years, the industry faced extended EU tariff quotas but also grappled with high electricity grid fees, which added approximately 300 million euros in costs. Simultaneously, a major transformation began, with state funding of 1.3 billion euros allocated to switch ArcelorMittal's production to electric arc furnaces and green hydrogen-based direct reduction, a shift that likely affected short-term output capacity.

Production iron and steel wire in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's iron and steel wire production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 494 million US dollars, representing a 13.2% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 15%, which translates to an annualized decline of 5.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 989 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 13.7%, while the largest increase was also in 2018 at 13.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 1 143 thousand tonnes of iron and steel wire, which is 9.8% lower than in the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports iron and steel wire from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's iron and steel wire exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 442.5 thousand tonnes, down by 8.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 19.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's iron and steel wire exports were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. The top three destinations—France (12.4% of exports in kind), Poland (11.3%), and the Netherlands (11.0%)—together accounted for just 34.7% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's iron and steel wire exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 679 million US dollars, marking a significant drop of 12.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 17%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 6.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 892 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 13.4% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 9.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of Germany's iron and steel wire exports in value terms was highly diversified. The top three countries—Switzerland (10.4% of exports in value terms), France (9.5%), and the Netherlands (8.1%)—together accounted for only 28.0% of total export value. The remaining 72.0% was spread across numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports iron and steel wire to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's iron and steel wire imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 671.6 thousand tonnes, showing a decrease of 5.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.0%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 758.6 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 6.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany sourced iron and steel wire from a broad portfolio of suppliers. The top three—Czechia (13.5% of imports in kind), the Netherlands (10.8%), and Belarus (10.4%)—together contributed only 34.7% of total import volumes. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's iron and steel wire imports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were approximately 860 million US dollars, corresponding to a substantial reduction of 11.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 4.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 140 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 14.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 15.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's iron and steel wire imports in value terms came from a wide range of suppliers. The top three—Czechia (10.1% of imports in value terms), Sweden (9.8%), and Italy (9.0%)—together accounted for only 28.8% of total import value. Many other countries contributed smaller but significant shares.

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

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