MENA : Middle East & North Africa

Steel production in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa remains far below the level of demand for steel in the region making it one of the great export markets for the world’s steelmakers.
ISSB maintains a fully detailed database of the exports, and imports, of steel and steelmaking raw materials for more than 50 major steelmaking nations, collectively accounting for 97% of global steel output.  With the national trade data of the countries within the MENA region not readily available ISSB’s coverage of the world’s dominant exporters places us in a leading position to assess the markets of the Middle East and North Africa. Below we summarise the some of the latest data available regarding the region.

If you want to know more about steel exports to, or imports from, the countries of the MENA region please either contact phil.hunt@issb.co.uk or use our on-line Trade Enquiry System.

Crude Steel Production

Production in the Middle East increased by 6% in 2009, driven by a 9% increase in Iranian output while production in North Africa fell 12% leading to production across the region as a whole remaining unchanged. 2010 saw output in the Middle East increase by 11% while that in North Africa rose by 18% with 2011 seeing Middle Eastern production rise a further 7% with North African output falling by 15% following extensive unrest.  In 2012, production in North Africa was on the rise again, as was production in the Middle East to leave MENA production as a whole 6% up year on year.

Trade in Steel

Combined exports of Steel Mill Products (semis, long & flat products, tubes) to the MENA region as a whole reached a peak of 50 million tonnes in 2008, before suffering three years of consecutive reductions to rest at 42 million tonnes in 2011.

Exports to the MENA region then increased 6% in 2012 but remained 10% below the peak in 2008.

Exports to the Middle East collapsed in 2009, mainly as a result of the construction industry problems experienced in the UAE, before recovering somewhat in recent years.

Exports to North Africa had their peak in 2009 before falling away to a low of 9 million tonnes in 2011. In 2012, exports to North Africa bounced back by 26% to 12 million tonnes driven by increased trade to Egypt and Algeria.

If you want to know more about the markets for steel exports in the MENA region please contact phil.hunt@issb.co.uk or use our on-line Trade Enquiry System.