Bridge Market

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the global market for bridges, bridge sections, towers and lattice masts made of iron or steel. Projections indicate a positive consumption trend with an anticipated increase in market volume and value over the next eight years. Detailed insights are given on consumption patterns, production trends, key exporting and importing countries, as well as average prices. Key highlights include the decline in consumption in 2022 after years of growth, with major players like China, Japan, and the United States leading in both consumption and production. The findings offer valuable information for stakeholders in the industry looking to understand market dynamics and make informed decisions.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for bridges, bridge sections, towers and lattice masts (of iron or steel) worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 18M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $54.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Bridges, Bridge Sections, Towers And Lattice Masts (Of Iron Or Steel)

In 2022, consumption of bridges, bridge sections, towers and lattice masts (of iron or steel) decreased by -1.2% to 16M tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 17M tons, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

The global bridge market revenue declined to $41.9B in 2022, with a decrease of -3.4% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 9.7% against the previous year. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $43.4B, and then declined modestly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (2.7M tons), Japan (2.2M tons) and the United States (1.5M tons), together accounting for 39% of global consumption. India, Canada, Russia, Brazil, Finland, Italy, Indonesia, Germany, Spain and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Finland (with a CAGR of +38.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest bridge markets worldwide were Japan ($10.5B), the United States ($5.6B) and China ($4.4B), with a combined 49% share of the global market. India, Canada, Finland, Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, Italy, Germany, Spain and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

Finland, with a CAGR of +37.1%, saw the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of bridge per capita consumption was registered in Finland (91 kg per person), followed by Canada (20 kg per person), Japan (18 kg per person) and Italy (8.5 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of bridge was estimated at 2.1 kg per person.

In Finland, bridge per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +37.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Canada (-7.1% per year) and Japan (-3.0% per year).

Production

World Production of Bridges, Bridge Sections, Towers And Lattice Masts (Of Iron Or Steel)

In 2022, after four years of growth, there was decline in production of bridges, bridge sections, towers and lattice masts (of iron or steel), when its volume decreased by -1.3% to 16M tons. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 17M tons, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, bridge production fell to $42.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 24%. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum level at $49.2B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (3.1M tons), Japan (2.2M tons) and the United States (1.4M tons), with a combined 41% share of global production. India, Canada, Russia, Turkey, Brazil, Italy, Indonesia, Finland, Spain and Bahrain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Finland (with a CAGR of +44.8%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Bridges, Bridge Sections, Towers And Lattice Masts (Of Iron Or Steel)

In 2022, supplies from abroad of bridges, bridge sections, towers and lattice masts (of iron or steel) decreased by -8.6% to 2.6M tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. In general, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 17%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at 3M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, bridge imports totaled $5.7B in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

The UK (215K tons), the United States (182K tons), the United Arab Emirates (168K tons), Germany (157K tons), Australia (154K tons), Sweden (133K tons), Turkmenistan (91K tons), Pakistan (82K tons), Finland (80K tons), France (75K tons), Spain (64K tons) and the Philippines (62K tons) represented roughly 56% of total imports in 2022. Iraq (54K tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkmenistan (with a CAGR of +19.1%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest bridge importing markets worldwide were the UK ($690M), the United States ($488M) and Germany ($365M), with a combined 27% share of global imports. Australia, Sweden, Finland, France, the United Arab Emirates, Turkmenistan, the Philippines, Spain, Iraq and Pakistan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Finland, with a CAGR of +21.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

Iron or steel towers and lattice masts represented the major imported product with an import of around 2.1M tons, which resulted at 78% of total imports. It was distantly followed by iron or steel bridges and bridge-sections (573K tons), comprising a 22% share of total imports.

Iron or steel towers and lattice masts experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports. At the same time, iron or steel bridges and bridge-sections (+3.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, iron or steel bridges and bridge-sections emerged as the fastest-growing type imported in the world, with a CAGR of +3.6% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of iron or steel bridges and bridge-sections increased by +4.5 percentage points.

In value terms, iron or steel towers and lattice masts ($4.4B) constitutes the largest type of bridges, bridge sections, towers and lattice masts (of iron or steel) imported worldwide, comprising 77% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by iron or steel bridges and bridge-sections ($1.3B), with a 23% share of global imports.

For iron or steel towers and lattice masts, imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022.

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average bridge import price amounted to $2,170 per ton, picking up by 13% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $2,363 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was iron or steel bridges and bridge-sections ($2,301 per ton), while the price for iron or steel towers and lattice masts totaled $2,114 per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by iron or steel bridges (-0.6%).

Import Prices By Country

The average bridge import price stood at $2,170 per ton in 2022, picking up by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $2,363 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($3,210 per ton), while Pakistan ($692 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+3.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Bridges, Bridge Sections, Towers And Lattice Masts (Of Iron Or Steel)

In 2022, the amount of bridges, bridge sections, towers and lattice masts (of iron or steel) exported worldwide declined to 2.6M tons, shrinking by -9% on the year before. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 11%. The global exports peaked at 2.9M tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, bridge exports declined to $5.4B in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 18% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $5.6B in 2021, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (472K tons), Bahrain (373K tons) and Turkey (357K tons) was the main exporter of bridges, bridge sections, towers and lattice masts (of iron or steel) in the world, mixing up 46% of total export. Spain (203K tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by India (161K tons). All these countries together took near 14% share of total exports. Vietnam (99K tons), Germany (85K tons), Portugal (75K tons), the Netherlands (74K tons), Indonesia (71K tons), South Korea (63K tons), Italy (54K tons) and Canada (53K tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Vietnam (with a CAGR of +22.3%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($874M), Turkey ($618M) and India ($540M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 37% of global exports. Spain, Bahrain, Vietnam, Indonesia, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, Portugal and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +19.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

Iron or steel towers and lattice masts was the key exported product with an export of around 1.9M tons, which recorded 73% of total exports. It was distantly followed by iron or steel bridges and bridge-sections (724K tons), making up a 27% share of total exports.

Iron or steel towers and lattice masts experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports. At the same time, iron or steel bridges and bridge-sections (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, iron or steel bridges and bridge-sections emerged as the fastest-growing type exported in the world, with a CAGR of +1.2% from 2012-2022. The shares of the largest types remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, iron or steel towers and lattice masts ($4B) remains the largest type of bridges, bridge sections, towers and lattice masts (of iron or steel) supplied worldwide, comprising 75% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by iron or steel bridges and bridge-sections ($1.4B), with a 25% share of global exports.

For iron or steel towers and lattice masts, exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average bridge export price amounted to $2,089 per ton, rising by 6.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 8.3%. The global export price peaked at $2,123 per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was iron or steel towers and lattice masts ($2,086 per ton), while the average price for exports of iron or steel bridges and bridge-sections totaled $1,904 per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by iron or steel bridges (+2.3%).

Export Prices By Country

The average bridge export price stood at $2,089 per ton in 2022, increasing by 6.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 8.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $2,123 per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was India ($3,355 per ton), while Bahrain ($959 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+11.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform