According to siderweb, global steel production declined year on year in the first seven months of 2026, with China the main contributor to the weakness. EU output moved against the global trend, rising by 0.4%. According to siderweb, European imports increased year on year in the second half of 2025, and inventories in the region remained substantial.
MetalMate summary of the linked evidenceCommercial context
Commercially, elevated stocks may limit the speed at which firmer prices and purchasing activity translate into higher EU mill production. Siderweb attributes stronger buying partly to operators’ responses to CBAM and import quotas, while assessing that these measures had a larger initial effect on prices and producer margins than on output. This is market analysis, not proof of causation or a statement that any newly announced measure has taken legal effect.
MetalMate analysis- EU producers with available financial statements recorded significant EBITDA improvement in both the first and second quarters versus 2025, according to siderweb; the sample does not cover every producer.
- According to siderweb, China was the principal contributor to weaker global steel production.
- The EU’s marginal output gain contrasts with both the global decline and the stronger reported response in prices and margins.
Monitor whether European inventories are drawn down sufficiently to support a broader production recovery, whether imports continue their partial rebound, and whether price and margin gains persist. Further EU output data and a broader set of producer results will be important for testing whether the improvement extends beyond the companies covered by available financial statements.
Source & methodology +
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- Article status
- Published · Version 1
- Source date
- 8 September 2026
- MetalMate publication
- 23 September 2026
- Verification
- Automated evidence checks; not human reviewed
Acciaio, la ripresa resta alla porta — siderweb
MetalMate provides an English summary; consult the original wording.