Germany’s stockholding distributors sold 2.495 million tonnes of steel in the first quarter, Kallanish learns from figures issued by distributors federation BDS.
The tonnage represents a slight, 50,000t gain on Q1 2025. It is the second year with a year-on-year increase in the first quarter. However, the back-to-back hikes have not yet offset the 5% on-year drop seen in Q1 2024.
This year’s Q1 showed some deviations between product groups. Flat products, which make up roughly 60% of sales among Germany’s stockholders, accounted for 1.539mt this year, remaining virtually on par with Q1 2025.
Long products, traditionally accounting for some 30% of the total, saw a noteworthy increase, by 90,000t to 794,000t. The increasing trend in long products was already seen last year.
BDS does not provide explanations for the differing growth dynamics between products groups.
Another noteworthy change occurred from January to February, with total sales jumping by 75,000t month-on-month. Last year, a similar leap occurred from February to March.
The “Other Products” category, which includes wire rod, among other products, came to 246,000t, an on-year increase by around 11,000t.
