EU finished steel imports fall 3.22% in March

28 May 2026: EU finished steel imports from third countries in March declined by 3.22% year on year, owing to concerns over CBAM and tighter trade measures.

Deliveries reached 1.79 million tonnes (Mt), bringing year-to-date figures to 6.71 Mt, down 13.55% on the year. 

South Korea and Indonesia were the major suppliers to Europe, increasing March shipments to 235 thousand tonnes (kt) and 209 kt, respectively, compared with 144 kt and 116 kt a year earlier. However, year-to-date deliveries from South Korea declined substantially to 751 kt, with the quota filled by 31 March. Indonesia increased exports to the EU to 375 kt.

Meanwhile, Turkey saw the sharpest decline in demand from European buyers. March deliveries totalled only 112 kt, as its quota was more than 80% exhausted in January. This was down from 397 kt a year earlier and 129 kt a month earlier. During the first quarter of 2026, Turkish suppliers experienced a 9.5% decline in exports to the EU.

Imports from China were broadly flat, at 163 kt in March and 852 kt in the first quarter.

Shipments from Ukraine fell by 13.53% and 14.58% over the same periods, to 180 kt and 510 kt, following the introduction of CBAM.