[SMM Iron & Steel] EU’s DRI Imports Plunge 68% in Jan-Feb 2026 Following Expiration of Russian Import Quotas

Published: May 19, 2026 15:12
In the first two months of 2026, European Union steelmakers significantly reduced their imports of direct reduced iron (DRI) by 68% year-on-year to just 130,500 metric tons (mt). The United States stepped up as the largest primary supplier, exporting 66,630 mt (a minor 6% year-on-year decrease), with nearly the entire volume—63,620 mt (+24.4% YoY)—dispatched to Austria. Libya secured the second position, delivering 27,800 mt of DRI exclusively to Spain, although this volume was down 68.4% compared to the prior year. This massive import contraction directly traces back to the total expiration of transitional import quotas for Russian DRI/HBI, which dropped from 1.14 million tons in 2024 to 651,900 tons in 2025, and reached a mandatory 0.00% absolute ban starting January 2026.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
[SMM Steel] US Finalizes AD Review on Taiwan’s Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products
May 22, 2026 20:07
[SMM Steel] US Finalizes AD Review on Taiwan’s Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products
Read More
[SMM Steel] US Finalizes AD Review on Taiwan’s Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products
[SMM Steel] US Finalizes AD Review on Taiwan’s Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products
[SMM Steel] The US Department of Commerce finalized its antidumping administrative review on corrosion-resistant steel products from Taiwan covering July 2023-June 2024. Sheng Yu Steel and Prosperity Tieh Enterprise received final dumping margins of 0.00%, while Great Grandeul Steel Company Limited (Samoa) was assigned a weighted-average dumping margin of 0.99%. The USDOC maintained nearly all calculations from the preliminary findings, with only a minor spelling correction made to Prosperity’s corporate name.
May 22, 2026 20:07
[SMM Steel] Global Crude Steel Output Falls 1.9% YoY in April 2026
May 22, 2026 20:06
[SMM Steel] Global Crude Steel Output Falls 1.9% YoY in April 2026
Read More
[SMM Steel] Global Crude Steel Output Falls 1.9% YoY in April 2026
[SMM Steel] Global Crude Steel Output Falls 1.9% YoY in April 2026
[SMM Steel] Global crude steel production declined 1.9% y-o-y to 153.4 million mt in April 2026, while January-April output fell 2.0% y-o-y to 613.3 million mt, according to worldsteel data. China’s April crude steel output dropped 2.8% y-o-y to 83.6 million mt, while India, South Korea, and the US recorded growth of 3.9%, 4.8%, and 9.4% respectively. EU-27 output declined 1.8% y-o-y to 11.0 million mt, while CIS production fell sharply by 13.4% y-o-y. Market participants said global steel production remains under pressure from weak demand and ongoing regional trade and geopolitical uncertainties.
May 22, 2026 20:06
[SMM Steel] Germany’s Steel Output Continues Recovering Despite Monthly Decline
May 22, 2026 20:04
[SMM Steel] Germany’s Steel Output Continues Recovering Despite Monthly Decline
Read More
[SMM Steel] Germany’s Steel Output Continues Recovering Despite Monthly Decline
[SMM Steel] Germany’s Steel Output Continues Recovering Despite Monthly Decline
[SMM Steel] Germany’s crude steel production increased by 9.5% y-o-y to 3.23 million mt in April 2026, although output declined 3.3% m-o-m, according to WV Stahl. BOF steel production rose 10.7% y-o-y to 2.22 million mt, while EAF output increased 7.1% y-o-y to 1.01 million mt. January-April crude steel production reached 12.49 million mt, up 9.1% y-o-y. Market participants said the data reflected a gradual recovery in German steel production, although overall demand and capacity utilization remained below sustainable levels.
May 22, 2026 20:04