According to data released by the French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry, both imports and exports of basic steel products and ferroalloys in France declined in value during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
From January to March 2025, France imported basic steel products and ferroalloys worth €2.36 billion, representing a year-on-year decrease of 11.1 percent. Within this total, imports of steel pipes and tubes amounted to €510.1 million, down 6.8 percent compared to the same period last year. Imports of cold rolled steel bars fell by 3.11 percent to €131.14 million, while cold rolled steel strip imports declined by 8.3 percent to €174.2 million. Cold drawn wire imports decreased by 3.5 percent to €127.2 million, and metal structures and parts saw a 5 percent drop, reaching €676.9 million.
On the export side, France shipped out basic steel products and ferroalloys worth €2.42 billion in the first quarter, marking a 5.1 percent decline year on year. Steel pipe and tube exports amounted to €318.4 million, down 6.44 percent. Cold rolled steel bar exports dropped by 5.4 percent to €112.1 million, while exports of cold rolled steel strip saw a sharp decline of 30.4 percent, totaling €152.3 million. Cold drawn wire exports were down 10.4 percent to €77 million, and exports of metal structures and parts slightly decreased by 0.12 percent to €222 million.
The overall decline in both import and export values reflects ongoing pressure on the French steel sector, driven by softer demand, market volatility, and cost-related challenges across Europe and globally.