In 2023, the United States was the leading steel importer at 26.4 million metric tons. Also, the European Union's leaders, Germany and Italy, ranked second with 18.7 million metric tons of steel imports.
World Steel Recycling
Both steel and the residues utilized in its production process are highly recyclable. In detail, three-quarters of the energy required for primary steel manufacturing can be saved through recycling activities. To decarbonize the industry for net-zero targets, utilizing recyclable materials is vital. In 2022, seven significant markets alone used about 469.7 million metric tons of steel scrap for steelmaking. That year, Turkey was the world's largest steel scrap importer, with approximately 20.9 million metric tons.
World leading steel importers in 2023, by country
(in million metric tons)
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World Steel Association. (July 27, 2024). World leading steel importers in 2023, by country (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 06, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/650538/leading-steel-importers-globally-sorted-by-country/
World Steel Association. "World leading steel importers in 2023, by country (in million metric tons)." Chart. July 27, 2024. Statista. Accessed June 06, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/650538/leading-steel-importers-globally-sorted-by-country/
World Steel Association. (2024). World leading steel importers in 2023, by country (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: June 06, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/650538/leading-steel-importers-globally-sorted-by-country/
World Steel Association. "World Leading Steel Importers in 2023, by Country (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 27 Jul 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/650538/leading-steel-importers-globally-sorted-by-country/
World Steel Association, World leading steel importers in 2023, by country (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/650538/leading-steel-importers-globally-sorted-by-country/ (last visited June 06, 2025)
World leading steel importers in 2023, by country (in million metric tons) [Graph], World Steel Association, July 27, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/650538/leading-steel-importers-globally-sorted-by-country/
