Welded angles, shapes and sections of iron or steel market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Italian market for welded steel angles, shapes, and sections was shaped by the country's reliance on imported raw materials for steelmaking, which affected sector competitiveness. Import volumes fluctuated, peaking at 7 083 t in 2019 before falling to 4 560 t in 2020, a year marked by declining steel prices globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic and trade tensions. Export volumes remained relatively stable, between 3 263 t and 3 651 t annually during this period.

The years 2021 and 2022 brought sharp shifts driven by price movements and trade policy. Significant steel price increases—up to 42% for some rectangular bars—were triggered by international trade policies, rising raw material costs, and EU protectionist measures that curtailed imports of steel from outside the EU. These supply-side constraints, coupled with global geopolitical tensions and energy cost pressures, contributed to a rise in the market's value to $51 177 thousand in 2022, even as its physical volume shrank to 26 087 t. Domestic production also declined to 24 546 t in 2022, reflecting the sector's competitive challenges and a negative trade balance.

In 2023, the market's physical volume surged to 42 841 t and its value reached $64 244 thousand, while steel prices began receding from their 2021-2022 peaks amid market uncertainty and short-term planning. Production jumped to 41 151 t. However, 2024 saw a sharp contraction to 16 343 t in volume and $33 565 thousand in value, coinciding with further price stabilization and downward pressure influenced by market factors and energy costs.

Exports welded angles, shapes and sections of iron or steel from Italy

Exports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of decline, Italy's exports of welded angles, shapes and sections of iron or steel showed a modest recovery in 2020. The country exported 3,514 tonnes that year, representing a 7.7% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 47.9%, with an average annual decline of 19.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 3,263 tonnes, while the sharpest year-on-year drop occurred in 2018 at 45.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Austria, Germany, and Denmark—collectively accounted for 54.7% of Italy's total physical exports of welded angles, shapes and sections of iron or steel.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Italy's export value of welded angles, shapes and sections of iron or steel declined for the second year in a row in 2020, reaching 12,593 thousand US dollars—a 1.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values fell by 11.6%, with an average annual contraction of 4.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 14,682 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 12.8%. The strongest growth was seen in 2018 with a 3.0% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Germany, and France emerged as Italy's primary export partners by value for welded angles, shapes and sections of iron or steel. Austria accounted for 29.6% of export value, Germany for 19.0%, and France for 6.5%. Together, these three countries represented 55.0% of Italy's total export flows in this category.

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

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

Imports welded angles, shapes and sections of iron or steel to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's imports of welded angles, shapes and sections of iron or steel totaled 4,560 tonnes in 2020, marking a significant 35.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 27.2%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 10.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 4,271 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 7,083 tonnes. The most substantial year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, with imports surging by 65.9%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, North Macedonia, Romania, and Switzerland consistently dominated Italy's import structure for welded angles, shapes and sections of iron or steel in physical terms. North Macedonia supplied 64.1% of imports, Romania 15.3%, and Switzerland 5.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 85.3% of Italy's total import flows in this category.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Italy's import market for welded angles, shapes and sections of iron or steel exhibited notable volatility between 2017 and 2020. Import values peaked in 2019 at 24,599 thousand US dollars before plummeting to 10,406 thousand US dollars in 2020—a 2.4-fold decrease. The 2020 figure represented a sharp 57.7% year-on-year decline. The most dramatic increase occurred in 2019, with import values jumping by 112.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia, Romania, and Switzerland were Italy's leading sources of imports by value for welded angles, shapes and sections of iron or steel. North Macedonia accounted for 42.8% of import value, Romania for 14.2%, and Switzerland for 13.9%. Together, these three countries represented 70.9% of Italy's total import flows in this category.

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

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