According to Eurostat, EU imports of iron and steel of Chinese origin under HS Chapter 72 increased by 8% year on year in 2023 to 3.77 million tonnes, the highest tonnage since 2016.
Consumption of slabs from China last year increased by 70% to 624,051 tons. Imports from China of ingots under the HS code 7214 jumped by 84% to 450,227 tons, of which 131,225 tons were rebar. Consumption of carbon steel wire increased by 26% to 187,924 tons, while imports of alloy steel wire increased by 96% to 145,022 tons.
Imports of 7210 coated flat products remained the largest category , but at 1.01 million tons it was down 1% compared to 2022. The share of tinplate accounted for 527,913 tons, and the consumption of hot-dip galvanized coils amounted to 436,019 tons.
Consumption of sheet steel from other alloys under the HS code 7225, including electrical steel, decreased by 20% to 296,178 tons , while imports of rods and rods from other alloys under the HS code 7228 remained at the same level and amounted to 535,192 tons.
The main destination for Chinese steel supplies to the EU in 2023 was Italy, where imports increased compared to 2022 to 1.69 million tons. Belgium was next, despite a 14% drop in import volumes to 651,619 tonnes, while Spain came in third with 296,518 tonnes, down 4%. It is noteworthy that last year Poland increased its consumption of Chinese steel by 88% to 237,350 tons.
