Semi-finished products and bakery products increased June imports to the EU
Imports of cast iron and steel products from the EU-27 countries in accordance with Chapter 72 increased by 7% year-on-year in June to 3.75 million tons, driven by increased consumption of semi-finished steel products. Imports of hot-rolled rolled products also increased, but consumption of cold-rolled products and coated rolls decreased, Kallanish notes based on Eurostat data.
Imports of semi-finished products from outside the bloc increased by 35% to 779,106 tons in June. The main supplier was Russia, which increased its shipments to the EU by 106% to 355,717 tons. Pig iron consumption also increased significantly from China and Brazil, by 163% and 77%, respectively, to 136,539 tons and 104,252 tons, respectively.
However, pig iron imports in June decreased by 65% to 50,790 tons, mainly due to the fact that supplies from Russia were zero compared to more than 100,000 tons a year earlier, as Russia is the largest supplier of pig iron to the EU.- the quota for pig iron imports was already exhausted earlier this year.
Imports of hot-rolled flat products increased by 33% in June compared to the same period last year to 728,023 tons, driven by a significant increase in shipments from Turkey, as well as increased shipments from India and Indonesia, while Malaysia and Australia joined the list of suppliers.
Shipments from Turkey increased by 83% to 194,994 tons, while India more than tripled shipments to 87,847 tons and Indonesia increased shipments by 111% to 84,673 tons. Australia supplied 59,649 tons, while consumption from Malaysia was 41,096 tons, down from zero last year.
However, imports of CR and coated flat rolled products decreased by 15% in June to 179,624 tons and 268,381 tons, respectively.
In the first half of 2025, the EU's chapter 72 imports, so production decreased by 1% year-on-year to 24.9 million tons. This was due to a reduction in imports of hot-rolled products and coated coils, as well as products with HS code 7213, including wire rods. This happened despite an increase in imports of semi-finished products and cast iron.
Adam Smith Austria
Kallanish.com