Lebanon’s steel imports rose sharply in 2025, driven by higher inflows of rebar, hot-rolled and coated steel, according to data from Lebanese Customs.
Total steel imports reached around 856,000 tons in 2025, up from about 578,000 tons in 2024, marking a near 48pct YoY increase.
Rebar (HS Code 7214) remained the largest imported steel product into Lebanon in 2025. Full-year rebar imports climbed to around 419,700 tons, compared with about 271,400 tons in 2024, reflecting a 55pct YoY increase. Rebar alone accounted for nearly half of total steel imports.
Imports of other long products also strengthened. Wire rod (HS Code 7213) imports rose to around 52,600 tons from about 30,100 tons a year earlier, while alloy bar (HS Code 7228) imports increased to approximately 56,900 tons, up from around 31,700 tons in 2024.
Within the long steel segment, Egypt remained the dominant supplier of rebar, while Russia and Iran also accounted for significant volumes. For wire rod, China and Russia were the leading suppliers, while Turkey emerged as the main source of alloy steel bars, followed by China.
Flat steel imports recorded strong growth in 2025, led by hot-rolled flat products. Imports of non-alloy hot-rolled steel (HS Code 7208) reached around 165,700 tons, up from about 108,700 tons in 2024, marking a 52pct YoY increase and making it the largest flat steel category.
Coated flat steel (HS Code 7210) imports increased more modestly to around 107,400 tons, while cold-rolled flat steel (HS Code 7209) imports rose to about 15,600 tons. Imports of coated and painted strips of 600 mm width and below (HS Code 7212) nearly doubled YoY.
Flat steel imports were largely supplied by Turkey, China and Russia, reflecting a diversified sourcing pattern.
Lebanon’s steel import growth in 2025 came against a backdrop of tentative economic recovery. According to international financial institutions, real GDP is estimated to have expanded in 2025 for the first time since 2019, supported by incremental reforms and improved fiscal and external balances.
Construction-related indicators also pointed to a more supportive environment for steel demand. The cumulative surface area of approved construction permits rose by more than 50pct YoY to around 8.45 mln square metres by November 2025, suggesting fewer but larger projects in the pipeline. In addition, cement deliveries increased by roughly 26pct YoY through August, an indicator of higher on-site construction activity.
| Product category (HS Code) | 2024 (tons) | 2025 (tons) | YoY | Main supplying countries in 2025 (tons) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebar (7214) | 271,404 | 419,714 | +55pct | Egypt (213,000), Russia (75,000), Iran (46,000) |
| Hot-rolled flat steel (7208) | 108,709 | 165,694 | +52pct | Turkey (54,000), China (40,000), Russia (36,000) |
| Coated flat steel (7210) | 96,816 | 107,446 | +11pct | China (74,000), Turkey (29,000) |
| Alloy bars (7228) | 31,747 | 56,946 | +79pct | Turkey (35,500), China (11,200), Russia (7,600) |
| Wire rod (7213) | 30,105 | 52,622 | +75pct | China (22,700), Russia (18,900), Belarus (5,700) |
| Cold-rolled flat steel (7209) | 11,279 | 15,580 | +38pct | China (9,800), Turkey (3,000) |
| Stainless steel | 9,700 | 14,800 | +53pct | Various |
| Steel wire (7217) | 5,859 | 8,657 | +48pct | China (4,400), Egypt (2,300), Turkey (1,700) |
| Angles & sections (7216) | 5,636 | 7,843 | +39pct | China (3,500), Spain (1,800), Turkey (1,200) |
| Coated/painted strips below 600 mm (7212) | 3,681 | 6,914 | +88pct | China (5,200), Belgium (640), Germany (640) |
| Others | 23,400 | 21,100 | – | – |
| Total steel imports | 578,334 | 856,027 | +48pct | – |
