Lebanon’s steel imports jumped 66.3pct YoY in the first four months of 2025, reaching 332,070 tons, according to data from Lebanese Customs.
Rebar accounted for a major share of the imports. Between January and May 2025, rebar imports rose 37.4pct YoY to 138,690 tons, making up 42pct of total steel imports. Wire rod imports more than doubled to 27,897 tons, up from 12,613 tons during the same period last year.
Imports of flat steel products also saw sharp increases. Under HS code 7208, non-alloy hot-rolled steel imports surged 108.6pct to 76,973 tons. Cold-rolled steel (HS code 7209) rose by nearly 50pct to 6,909 tons, while non-alloy coated steel (HS code 7210) recorded a 118.4pct jump to 44,882 tons.
Imports of alloy bars (HS code 7228) nearly doubled, rising 103pct YoY to 19,952 tons.
This significant rise in steel imports coincides with Lebanon’s fragile economic recovery. The World Bank projects 4.7pct GDP growth in 2025, driven by reform progress, tourism, and consumption. Inflation is expected to ease to 15.2pct, supported by exchange rate stability. Modest public spending may rise with improved revenues, though fiscal pressures remain high, highlighting the need for structural reforms. To aid recovery, the World Bank has approved over USD 1 bln for infrastructure projects in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
