In the first two months of 2025, the European Union reduced its imports of direct reduced iron (DRI) by 30.9% compared to the same period last year, indicating a shift in trends for the supply of this strategic metal. According to Eurostat data, in January-February 2025, EU countries imported 408.14 thousand tons of DRI, whereas in January-February 2024, this figure was higher.
This is reported by Business • Media
Major Importers and Suppliers of Iron in the EU
Among the largest importers of direct reduced iron in the EU during this period were Italy, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Specifically, Italy imported 263.89 thousand tons, which is an 86.8% increase compared to last year, while Austria imported 51.14 thousand tons (+2.3%). It is important to note that Spain showed a record increase in imports – 37.46 thousand tons, which is 273% more year-on-year, while Germany reduced its purchases by 95% to 8.65 thousand tons.
The main supplier of direct reduced iron for the European Union is Russia. In January-February 2025, Russian enterprises shipped 115.45 thousand tons to EU countries, which is 44.9% less compared to last year. The largest importers of Russian products were Italy, which received 99.05 thousand tons (-21.4%), and Spain – 16.4 thousand tons. During this period, the EU also imported 87.88 thousand tons of iron from Libya, which is 9.7% less year-on-year, while Venezuela exported 113.57 thousand tons (+76.4%).
Iron Import Trends in 2024
In 2024, imports of direct reduced iron to the European Union increased by 5.4%, totaling 2.75 million tons; however, in 2023, this figure decreased by 11.1%. Last year, the largest importers were Italy with 659.73 thousand tons (-23.7%), the Netherlands with 527.27 thousand tons (+423%), and Germany with 438.46 thousand tons (-33.5%). The main suppliers remain Russia, Libya, the USA, Venezuela, and Canada, with Russia accounting for about 38% of export supplies.
“The volumes of direct reduced iron imports in the European Union in January-February 2025 decreased by 30.9% compared to last year,” analysts report.