Thick hot-rolled steel sheet trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in thick hot-rolled steel sheet was worth $4.52 billion in 2024, about 5.84 million tonnes. That is an increase of 43% since 2017, and down 11% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4.52B | 5.84M t |
| 2023 | $5.10B | 5.55M t |
| 2022 | $5.96B | 5.45M t |
| 2021 | $5.16B | 5.24M t |
| 2020 | $2.95B | 4.68M t |
| 2019 | $3.54B | 5.10M t |
| 2018 | $3.91B | 5.24M t |
| 2017 | $3.16B | 4.73M t |
Top thick hot-rolled steel sheet exporting countries
Exports are led by China (25%), Japan (9%) and Belgium (5%). 111 countries reported exports, and the top three account for 39%.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.12B | 25% |
| Japan | $390.8M | 8.7% |
| Belgium | $241.6M | 5.4% |
| South Korea | $231.4M | 5.1% |
| Italy | $230.6M | 5.1% |
| Slovakia | $214.3M | 4.7% |
| United States | $206.1M | 4.6% |
| Netherlands | $168.8M | 3.7% |
| Austria | $157.4M | 3.5% |
| Germany | $154.2M | 3.4% |
| Turkey | $140.5M | 3.1% |
| Sweden | $110.3M | 2.4% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
Germany is the biggest buyer with 9% of world imports, ahead of Vietnam and France. Demand is spread widely: the top three take 19% across 203 importing countries.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $405.2M | 9% |
| Vietnam | $240.7M | 5.3% |
| France | $224.7M | 5% |
| Mexico | $190.4M | 4.2% |
| Indonesia | $180.0M | 4% |
| United Arab Emirates | $164.0M | 3.6% |
| Poland | $160.1M | 3.6% |
| Czech Republic | $149.4M | 3.3% |
| Netherlands | $137.9M | 3.1% |
| South Korea | $129.8M | 2.9% |
| Belgium | $110.3M | 2.4% |
| Hungary | $91.0M | 2% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $0.77 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the United States averaged $1.31 per kg and China $0.61 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Related product types
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Thick hot-rolled steel sheet (HS 7208.52) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 7208.52: Iron or non-alloy steel: (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, without patterns in relief, of a thickness of 4.75mm or more but not exceeding 10mm. HS 7208 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most thick hot-rolled steel sheet?
China exported $1.12 billion in 2024, 25% of the world total, followed by Japan (9%) and Belgium (5%). In all, 111 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most thick hot-rolled steel sheet?
Germany imported $405.2 million in 2024, 9% of world imports, ahead of Vietnam (5%) and France (5%). The top three importers together take 19%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in thick hot-rolled steel sheet?
It was worth $4.52 billion in 2024, about 5.84 million tonnes. That is an increase of 43% since 2017. The peak year was 2022 at $5.96 billion. 111 countries reported exports and 203 reported imports.
What is the average price of thick hot-rolled steel sheet per kg?
The world average declared value was about $0.77 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the United States averaged $1.31 per kg and China $0.61 per kg, so grade and origin matter. Read it as a benchmark: it blends all grades, origins and contract terms.
What is the HS code for thick hot-rolled steel sheet?
The HS code for thick hot-rolled steel sheet is subheading 7208.52, in chapter 72 (iron and steel). The first six digits are the same in every country; national tariffs add more. The full list of codes is on the HS 7208 page.
How can I find thick hot-rolled steel sheet buyers and suppliers?
Company names sit below these country totals: EximDataX reads the customs records shipment by shipment, with dates and values. We can show thick hot-rolled steel sheet buyers and suppliers on a short call.
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