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Who are the top steel exporting countries by total export volume in 2023?
As highlighted in World Steel in Figures 2024 issued by the World Steel Association, in the year of 2023, China was the world’s largest steel exporting country with an export volume of well over 90 MT, marking a sharp increase compared to 2022’s figure. This is followed by Japan being the top 2 steel exporter (32.2 MT) and South Korea being the top 3 (27 MT). Other notable steel exporters include developed economies like many European countries, such as Germany and Italy.
Let’s break down the top 10 steel exporting countries by volume, their key markets, and the challenges they face in expanding their exports.
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Top 1 Export Country: China | Export Volume: 94.3 MT
According to data from the World Steel Association, in 2023, China ranked 1st among the world’s top 10 steel exporting countries. It saw a whooping export volume of 94.3 MT, which indicated a nearly 30% growth compared to the previous year.
| Rank | Company name | Country | Trade Value in 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HARMER STEEL PRODUCTS | United States | 6.22 US$ B |
| 2 | CENTURY STEEL PRIVATE LIMITED | Pakistan | 6.15 US$ B |
| 3 | HARMER STEEL LTD | United States | 2.87 US$ B |
| 4 | 🔒 | 🔒 | 🔒 |
| 5 | 🔒 | 🔒 | 🔒 |
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| 7 | 🔒 | 🔒 | 🔒 |
| 8 | 🔒 | 🔒 | 🔒 |
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| 10 | 🔒 | 🔒 | 🔒 |
China’s steel exports tend to be directed to regions where there are no trade barriers, including countries in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Central America, which accounted for more than 80% of its total exports. Meanwhile, in the EU region, this sector saw contrasting developments. It experienced a twofold growth in 2022, as high energy prices sharply reduced the competitiveness of European steelmakers. However, figures in 2023 stayed mostly flat, due to the growing number of trade defense measures against this sector.
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You may be interested in reading: Top 10 Exporting Countries in the World 2024 and how they may affect you
According to Bloomberg, the future of China’s steel exports still seems rather uncertain. Experts predicted that the country’s steel export volume would gradually decline in the next two years. The biggest obstacle is the increasing number of trade defense actions and anti-dumping investigations from over 14 countries and regions, which are likely to affect around 9-10 MT of steel exports per year and further strain this sector.
Therefore, for China, navigating these challenges will require adaptive strategies that prioritize value-added steel products and crude steel output control. Another consideration is the removal of inefficient and polluting steel production facilities to meet requirements regarding green development, so that their products have more competitiveness in markets that favor these policies.
Top 2 Export Country: Japan | Export Volume: 32.2 MT
As the second-largest steel exporting country, Japan experienced a modest growth of 1.2% in export volume in 2023, reflecting a steady yet slow recovery. Its key markets include large Asian economies, such as South Korea, which remained a strong and growing partner. This was also the only major market with increased imports from Japan – a growth of 3.8%. In 2024, Japanese iron and steel product exports amounted to 31.71 million mt, down by 3.0 percent compared to the previous year.
On the other hand, China’s demand dropped sharply by nearly 30% in 2023, due to a significant increase in the cost of products amid high inflation and the energy crisis. Similarly, exports to Taiwan, Thailand, and the US all saw a downward trend. Lately, from January to April 2025, Japan’s steel exports observed a further slight drop of 1.1%.
| Steel Export Product | HS Code | April 2025 (metric ton) | Change MoM (%) | Jan–Apr 2025 (metric ton) | Change YoY (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-finished | 🔍 Check here | 194,117 | -47.6% | 1,025,200 | -1.0% |
| Bars | 🔍 Check here | 9,544 | -16.7% | 40,817 | -55.9% |
| Wire rod | 🔍 Check here | 38,743 | -4.5% | 156,300 | +22.1% |
| Heavy plate | 🔍 Check here | 196,108 | -18.3% | 911,411 | +4.0% |
| HRC | 🔍 Check here | 973,339 | +0.7% | 3,816,807 | +1.6% |
| CRC | 🔍 Check here | 129,816 | +1.7% | 507,500 | +4.5% |
| Galvanized sheet | 🔍 Check here | 128,310 | -17.0% | 594,793 | -10.3% |
Data source: www.steelorbis.com
Japan’s steel export industry is under pressure from multiple fronts. Production has declined as demand weakens in key sectors like construction, automotive, and manufacturing industries, grappling with labor shortages and falling exports. Meanwhile, Japan faces growing competition from China, and the depreciation of the yen is inflating costs for raw materials and energy, further squeezing profit margins.
These challenges are both external and domestic. Globally, Japan must navigate shifting demand and intensified trade competition. Domestically, structural issues such as an aging population and stagnant economic growth are compounding the problem, making the industry’s recovery more complex and multi-dimensional.
In response, the government is promoting green steel production with tax incentives of up to ¥20,000 per tonne to drive a shift toward sustainability. At the same time, Japan’s steelmakers are leaning on their competitive edge in high-value-added steel products, particularly in markets like the U.S., where demand remains strong and local suppliers struggle to match Japanese quality and technical standards.
📦 Wondering what other products Japan exports? What is Japan’s exporting trend across the years? How does steel export compare to other product export segments?
Top 3 Export Country: South Korea | Export Volume: 27.0 MT
South Korea exported 27 MT of steel in 2023, valued at $25.7 billion, marking a decrease of 1 MT from the previous year. India is one of its largest markets, ranking third after the US and Mexico in terms of trade surplus. However, recent developments have adversely impacted this industry.
Which countries were the main recipients of South Korean steel in 2024?
In 2024, the United States, China, Japan, India, and Vietnam were the top 5 destinations for South Korea’s metals (including iron and steel) exports, according to OEC World, which compiles official customs and trade data. South Korea remained notably the top finished steel supplier to India, exporting 2.8 million tonnes in the 2024–25 fiscal year.
Top 3 Steel Export Companies in Korea 2024
| Rank | Exporter | Country of Origin | Shipments | Export Value (US$) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HYUNDAI STEEL COMPANY | SOUTH KOREA | 9,874 | 15,533,759,849.98 | 368,066,121.4 |
| 2 | 🔒 | SOUTH KOREA | 🔒 | 🔒 | 🔒 |
| 3 | 🔒 | SOUTH KOREA | 🔒 | 🔒 | 🔒 |
Steel is a major part of South Korea’s export-led economy, and it is considered the “rice of industry”. However, it saw a drop of 10.6% in April 2025, the biggest decline since June 2024, according to Reuters.
Specifically, shifting priorities and policy regulations are limiting export potential. India’s recently introduced “Domestic Steel First” policy requires government entities to prioritize locally manufactured steel over imports. Additionally, the US government’s sudden decision to double the tariffs imposed on imported steel to 50% is projected to result in heavy losses for South Korean steel exporters. Meanwhile, many of these steelmakers are also facing competition from low-cost steel imports globally.
As the fourth-largest supplier of US steel imports, South Korea has been exporting under a duty-free quota of 2.63MT.
South Korea hopes to reach a deal that allows it to be exempted from US tariffs in exchange for a quota system with more limited export volumes.
It can be presumed that Korea’s steel export landscape will shift under pressure in 2025, with top players consolidating and U.S. market access potentially tightening under high tariffs.
For importers, missing quality suppliers means lost sourcing opportunities.
For exporters, failing to identify alternative buyers or ports could mean stalled shipments and shrinking margins.
This disruption isn’t limited to steel — it’s a reality many across the global supply chain face, and your business can be affected as well.
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Top 4 Export Country: Germany | Export Volume: 22.5 MT
Germany saw a slight decrease in steel export volumes – from 23.1 MT in 2022 to 22.5 MT in 2023. Its buyers included neighboring European countries, namely, Poland, Denmark, Austria, and the Netherlands, alongside other regions, such as the United Arab Emirates. However, these exports are currently constrained by many factors.
The first one is its declining production, which reduces export volume. In 2024, despite having experienced annual increases, production remained below the 40 MT mark for the third consecutive year, which is considered a recession-level output for the German steel industry. This trend reflected ongoing challenges such as high energy costs and weak domestic demand. Second, the escalation of US steel tariffs also caused disruptions to this sector by increasing export difficulties and price pressures.
Top 5 Export Country: Italy | Export Volume: 16.1 MT
Apart from Germany, Italy is another major steel-exporting country in Europe. Its 2023 export volume surpassed 16 MT, reflecting a 4.2% increase compared to the previous year. Italy’s most significant exported products included hot-rolled flat products, wire rods, and coated flat products, with main buyers including the US and several other EU countries such as Germany and Spain.
Similarly to Germany, Italy’s steel export sector is navigating a complex and challenging environment. Trade policy issues, particularly surrounding tariffs and protectionist measures, disrupt the flow of exports to many of its major markets. Moreover, high energy costs in Europe accelerate production expenses, which end up limiting the competitiveness of Italian steel in global markets. Apart from these economic pressures, Italy is also urged to lead green steel initiatives. These transitions are time and resource-intensive, so they create short-term export and production challenges.
“Being the first in the world in the production of totally green steel would radically change the history of our companies and their prospects… The world of steel is changing rapidly. As usual, in situations of radical change, there are threats, but also opportunitirws. The two great issues, scrap and energy, both impacted by decarbonization policies, are central to the survival of our companies.”
Antonio Gozzi, President of Fderacciai (Italian Steel Association)
Top 6 Export Country: Belgium | Export Volume: 14.6 MT
Belgium exported 14.6 MT of steel products in 2023, mainly to neighboring European countries, including Germany, France, the UK, and Spain. It has a relatively large range of export products, ranging from rails, cast iron, to other steel items. One noteworthy characteristic of Belgium’s steel trade is its substantial reliance on imports to facilitate its steel processing and manufacturing.
The country’s steel export sector is likely to be heavily impacted by the ongoing steep downturn of the European steel market, which is caused by poor demand in key steel-using sectors such as construction and automotive. In addition, high energy prices and inflation diminished the competitiveness of Belgium’s steel products
Top 7 Export Country: Russia | Export Volume: 13.9 MT
Russia, despite ongoing sanctions, remained one of the world’s largest steel exporting countries in 2023, having exported 13.9 million tonnes of steel. Major buyers of Russian steel included Turkey, Taiwan, and Belgium.
However, Russia’s steel export sector is under considerable strain. The first challenge is Western sanctions, which have restricted Russia’s access to lucrative markets in Europe and the US, forcing it to pivot to countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. They also cause logistical difficulties, increase transportation costs, and lengthen delivery times. Additionally, the industry faces economic and financial constraints, primarily resulting from the high Central Bank key interest rate. This high interest rate restricts lending and investment and raises production costs, hence limiting growth.
Top 8 Export Country: Turkey | Export Volume: 12.7 MT
Turkey exported nearly 13 MT of steel in 2023 and earned a revenue of approximately $8.3 billion, which was a staggering 40.7% decrease from 2022. This country is a key regional exporter in Europe and the Middle East, as its main export destinations are the EU and the Middle East, apart from North Africa and Latin America. Apart from that, Turkey is seeking to diversify export markets, focusing on North Africa and other developing regions.
Nonetheless, Turkey’s steel export market is under considerable pressure. First, it faces growing competition from low-cost and subsidized steel imports, particularly from South Asian countries and China. Second, its export prospects can be limited by rising freight costs and geopolitical risks, such as conflicts on the Red Sea. Third, the sector is impacted by the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which imposes a tariff on carbon-intensive products, including steel, imported into the EU. This policy means Turkish steel exporters will likely be strained by the additional costs and administrative burdens needed to comply with it.
Top 9 Export Country: Brazil | Export Volume: 12.3 MT
With export value reaching 12.3 MT, Brazil’s exports of iron and steel products were valued at approximately $11.9 billion USD in 2023, declining slightly compared to previous years.
With key products like chain rollers and large flat-rolled stainless steel, Brazil is an important steel exporter to many countries in America, including the US, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Guatemala, and Mexico. However, the recent imposition of a 25% tariff by the US on imported steel has created considerable uncertainties. In addition, aggressive competition from other exporters is also worsening the pressure on Brazil’s steel industry.
Top 10 Export Country: Iran | Export Volume: 11.9 MT
Iran stands out as a large steel exporter in West Asia, as its steel export volume reached 11.9 MT in 2023. It was also the tenth-largest steel producer, despite facing heavy sanctions from the US. Iran’s main steel export products include steel billets, rebar, hot-rolled coils (HRC) and sheets, steel pipes and profiles, and I-beams.
Iraq was Iran’s largest regional buyer thanks to a free trade agreement, which aimed to reduce tariffs. Other significant export destinations include Afghanistan, which has seen steady growth in steel imports from Iran since 2021, as well as the UAE, Turkey, and other Central Asian countries.
Global steel exports bracing for challenges ahead
According to the report titled “OECD Steel Outlook 2025,” the global steel exporting industry is facing several significant obstacles. The first challenge is a lack of supply-demand balance.
From 2025 to 2027, we may see a considerable increase in global excess capacity due to continued capacity expansions. This figure may reach 721 MT by the end of this period. Conversely, experts predict demand growth to remain sluggish, especially in OECD economies. Capacity utilization is likely to decline to 70%, which further diminishes prices and profitability.
Second, many countries continue to subsidize their steel industries, leading to growing low-priced exports that distort global competition and increase excess. In 2023, the global market saw a fivefold increase in anti-dumping measures. This trend further highlights the volatility of the landscape and uncertainties for both producers and consumers.
How can businesses navigate the global steel landscape?
To overcome these hurdles, global steel exporters must shift their priorities to diversification of markets and flexibility in strategies. By exploring new destinations, businesses reduce their reliance on traditional ones in the case of unexpected trade distortions, such as tariffs, sanctions, or competition with low-priced exports.
Investing in technological advancements to comply with sustainability and emission regulations is another prime concern. New technologies such as carbon capture and hydrogen-based steel production help exporters ensure they align their production with the latest environmental standards and stay ahead of the global shift to decarbonization. In addition, as global capacity utilization is expected to decline, they should also focus on improving efficiency and resource management to maintain profitability, even in a low-price environment.
Conclusion
The world’s top 10 steel exporting countries are dealing with enormous challenges, including shrinking trade volumes, decreasing demand, and growing trade and logistical barriers. In this volatile setting, up-to-date insights that fuel informed decision-making are a vital asset for businesses and organizations.
The globally leading platform for trade intelligence has become the must-have tool for industry leaders around the world. With TradeInt, companies and users can quickly identify trade patterns, monitor demand and price fluctuations, and identify growth opportunities. Therefore, it equips them with the information needed to adapt to the evolving steel export sector and navigate uncertainties effectively.
