Europe’s stainless steel market is increasingly reliant on imports, with soaring nickel pig iron volumes and quota-exceeding flat-rolled exports from Taiwan.

In 2024, Europe witnessed a significant surge in stainless steel imports, including raw materials and semi-finished products, as local producers increasingly turned to external suppliers to meet rising demand. Among the most notable trends was the dramatic rise in nickel pig iron imports, which soared by an astonishing 60,000%, highlighting the region’s heavy reliance on foreign markets for critical resources.

Furthermore, European stainless steel producers imported unprecedented volumes of slabs, further emphasizing the need for external sourcing to support their production capacities. In parallel, Taiwan’s flat-rolled stainless steel exports have exceeded the EU’s quota for Q1 2025, sparking concerns about potential higher duties and challenges in trade compliance. These developments underscore the complex dynamics of Europe’s stainless steel market and the increasing role of global suppliers in meeting its needs.