Non-alloy steel wire market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for non-alloy steel wire in Germany contracted in value from 1 345 million USD in 2018 to 1 006 million USD in 2020, with physical volume also declining from 1 237 thousand tons in 2019 to 1 122 thousand tons in 2020. A turnaround occurred in 2021 when market value jumped to 1 377 million USD and volume edged up to 1 155 thousand tons. This recovery was partly driven by increased customs duties on iron, steel, and aluminum products, which raised import costs and supported domestic market prices.

Market value continued to rise in 2022, reaching 1 545 million USD, although physical volume shrank to 1 055 thousand tons, indicating significant price inflation. By 2024, both value and volume fell sharply to 1 039 million USD and 844 thousand tons, respectively. This decline coincided with supply-chain disruptions, including rising scrap prices and freight bottlenecks in the Red Sea, which constrained material flows and increased production costs. The industry also saw ongoing market consolidation through mergers and acquisitions, as well as technological advances toward greener production using electric-arc furnaces and hydrogen-based direct reduction. Growing demand for steel wire from the electric vehicle sector shaped product trends, though it did not offset the broader market contraction.

Production non-alloy steel wire in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of non-alloy steel wire declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 948 million US dollars, marking a 10.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 21.2%, with an average annual decline of 7.6%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 1,332 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 10.6%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 16.7% decrease.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 984 thousand tonnes of non-alloy steel wire, representing a moderate year-over-year decline of 9.8%.

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

Exports non-alloy steel wire from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of non-alloy steel wire declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 351.6 thousand tonnes, which is 8.1% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 21.9%, with an average annual decline of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of non-alloy steel wire were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. France accounted for 14.0% of exports, Poland for 12.7%, and Austria for 12.1%. Together, these three countries represented just 38.8% of total export flows.

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 exports of non-alloy steel wire declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 382.2 million US dollars, which is 13.7% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 22.7%, with an average annual decline of 8.2%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 552.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.7%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 19.9% decrease.

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

The structure of Germany's non-alloy steel wire exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified set of trading partners. France accounted for 12.0% of export value, the Netherlands for 9.9%, and Poland for 9.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 31.6% of total export flows, while the remaining 68.4% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports non-alloy steel wire to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of non-alloy steel wire declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 550.8 thousand tonnes, showing a controlled contraction of 7.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 3.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 550.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 2.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's imports of non-alloy steel wire were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Czechia accounted for 15.5% of imports, Belarus for 14.2%, and the Netherlands for 11.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 40.7% of total import flows.

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 imports of non-alloy steel wire declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 565.3 million US dollars, down by 13.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.1%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 565.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for Germany's non-alloy steel wire imports. Czechia accounted for 12.8% of import value, the Netherlands for 9.6%, and Italy for 9.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 32.0% of total imports in value terms, while many smaller partners each accounted for modest individual shares.

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

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