Chinese-origin HR steel imports into the UAE declined in 2025, with shipments totaling 2.52 mln tons, down 16.6pct YoY from 3.03 mln tons in 2024, according to customs data.
The decline coincided with generally softer benchmark HRC prices in the Middle East during much of the year, as reflected in MEsteel’s HRC CFR Jebel Ali assessment.
Chinese HR steel imports totaled 247,315 tons in January and 252,103 tons in February, before rising sharply to a yearly high of 292,990 tons in April. Over the same period, benchmark HRC prices eased from USD 520 per ton in January to USD 502.5 per ton in April.
Chinese HRC supplies to UAE weakened further into mid-2025, declining to 164,276 tons in June and 133,319 tons in July, when prices touched a year-low of USD 488 per ton in June, before rebounding.
Although HRC prices recovered to USD 524 per ton in August and remained broadly above USD 500 per ton through September, Chinese HR steel imports into the UAE remained volatile. Shipments briefly rebounded to 254,102 tons in August, before sliding again to a 2025 low of 124,303 tons in October.
UAE’s Chinese HR steel imports recovered modestly toward year-end, reaching 201,204 tons in November and 198,835 tons in December, while MEsteel’s assessed HRC prices stabilized just below USD 500 per ton.
| Month (2025) | Chinese HR Steel Imports into the UAE (tons) | YoY (%) | MEsteel Chinese HRC average monthly price assessment for Jebel Ali (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 247,315 | -15.3 | 520 |
| Feb | 252,103 | -13.1 | 522.5 |
| Mar | 249,819 | 5.8 | 517 |
| Apr | 292,990 | 47.7 | 502.5 |
| May | 198,227 | -3.8 | 496.9 |
| Jun | 164,276 | -9.9 | 488 |
| Jul | 133,319 | -38.2 | 517.5 |
| Aug | 254,102 | 19.5 | 524 |
| Sep | 206,307 | -7.4 | 518.8 |
| Oct | 124,303 | -58.2 | 507.5 |
| Nov | 201,204 | -48.0 | 496 |
| Dec | 198,835 | -30.4 | 497.5 |
| Total | 2,522,800 | -16.6 |
