German steel distribution sales strengthened in June, with total shipments rising 7.9% month over month to 848,015 metric tons, according to data from the German steel stockholders’ association BDS released July 22, pointing to a firmer end to the second quarter after a softer May.
June sales were 8.3% higher year over year, marking the strongest monthly sales since March 2026, when volumes reached 943,927 mt, BDS data showed.
Despite the June rebound, the second-quarter average of 818,333 mt/month was down 4.8% from the first-quarter average of 859,802 mt/month, reflecting the particularly strong March figure. However, Q2 sales were still 4.3% higher year over year and broadly in line with Q2 2024, suggesting German distribution demand has improved compared with last year but remains below the stronger levels seen in the mid-to-late 2010s.
Long and flat steel products registered an increase in June. Long steel sales increased 8.4% month over month and 9% year over year to 292,906 mt, and flat steel sales rose 10.1% month over month and 8.1% year over year to 481,528 tonnes.
Sales of other steel products fell 5.9% month over month to 73,581 mt in June, although they remained 7.4% higher year over year, BDS data showed.
Total German steel distribution stocks rose modestly in June to 1.892 million mt, up 0.9% from May and 2% from June 2025. The increase was driven mainly by flat products and other steel categories, while long steel inventories continued to decline, according to the data.
Long product stocks fell to 601,814 mt in June, down 1.6% month over month and 8.8% year over year. Flat steel stocks rose 1.9% month over month and 8% year over year to 1.249 million mt in June.
The data points to a German distribution market recovering from weaker demand in 2025 but still operating below historical norms. June’s stronger sales provided a positive close to Q2, particularly for long products, while stock levels remain broadly controlled.
Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed domestic hot-rolled coil in Northern Europe at Eur710/mt ex-works Ruhr on July 22, stable on the day.
