Brussels: EU imports of raw materials have declined by 11% since 2020, highlighting a significant shift in the region's trade dynamics. Over a six-year period, imports of iron ore from third countries decreased from 77.9 million tons in 2020 to 69.0 million tons in 2025, as revealed by newly published data.
According to Emirates News Agency, the peak in iron ore imports was recorded in 2021, with shipments surging by 20.2% year-over-year to 93.6 million tons, driven by the post-crisis recovery in demand within the metallurgical sector. However, this upward trend did not last, as the market soon entered a correction phase. Imports fell by 12.8% in 2022 and by another 10.5% in 2023, reaching 73.0 million tons. Although there was a slight recovery of 2.6% in 2024 to 74.9 million tons, the decline resumed in 2025 with imports dropping by 7.8%.
Unagglomerated ore constituted the majority of shipments, representing nearly 74% of the total volume in 2025, which translated to 51.1 million tons. In contrast, sintered raw materials, including pellets, accounted for about 26% or 18.0 million tons. The import trend for sintered raw materials was notably more volatile. After a growth of 31.8% in 2021, imports decreased by 17.5% in 2022, 12.1% in 2023, rebounded by 12.3% in 2024, but then fell again by 17.1% in 2025. Meanwhile, non-agglomerated raw materials experienced a more gradual decline following a 16.1% increase in 2021, with reductions of 11.0% in 2022, 9.9% in 2023, 0.9% in 2024, and 4.1% in 2025.
The export of raw materials from the EU to third countries also saw a decline during this period, dropping from 16.7 million tons in 2020 to 10.5 million tons in 2025. The most significant decrease occurred in 2024, with a 25.4% year-over-year drop to 9.3 million tons, followed by a partial recovery of 13.2% in 2025.
Amid these shifts, the apparent consumption of raw materials within the EU remained unpredictable. After jumping by 21.3% in 2021 to 109.6 million tons, consumption fell by 12.6% in 2022 and another 7.0% in 2023, settling at 89.0 million tons. A modest 1.3% recovery in 2024 to 90.2 million tons proved short-lived as consumption decreased by 4.3% in 2025 to 86.3 million tons, marking a 4.4% decrease compared to 2020.
Canada, Brazil, Ukraine, and South Africa emerged as key foreign suppliers. Canada became the largest source of imports in 2025, holding a 34.9% share and supplying 24.1 million tons, strengthening its position from a 27.2% share in 2020. Conversely, Brazil's market share reduced from 23.0% in 2020 to 19.1% in 2025.