Iron or Steel Can Market

The global iron or steel can market is expected to see an increase in consumption, production, imports, and exports over the period from 2022 to 2030. Market performance is forecasted to have a CAGR of +2.0% in volume and +4.2% in value. China is the largest consumer and producer of iron or steel cans, while countries like Belgium and Spain are key importers and exporters. Price trends and growth rates in various countries provide valuable insights into the market dynamics.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for iron or steel cans worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 258B units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $74.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Iron or Steel Cans

Global iron or steel can consumption reached 220B units in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 228B units in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global iron or steel can market revenue totaled $53.9B in 2022, growing by 3.8% 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level at $55.3B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of iron or steel can consumption was China (51B units), comprising approx. 23% of total volume. Moreover, iron or steel can consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (23B units), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (20B units), with an 8.9% share.

In China, iron or steel can consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (+1.1% per year) and India (+2.9% per year).

In value terms, China ($14.2B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($5.2B). It was followed by India.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China stood at +5.1%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United States (+0.1% per year) and India (+3.2% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of iron or steel can per capita consumption in 2022 were Italy (138 units per person), Spain (133 units per person) and Poland (103 units per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +11.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Iron or Steel Cans

Global iron or steel can production totaled 220B units in 2022, leveling off at the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 228B units in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, iron or steel can production reached $54B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by 12%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $63.2B. From 2020 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

China (52B units) remains the largest iron or steel can producing country worldwide, accounting for 24% of total volume. Moreover, iron or steel can production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (24B units), twofold. India (20B units) ranked third in terms of total production with a 9% share.

In China, iron or steel can production increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+1.3% per year) and India (+2.9% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Iron or Steel Cans

In 2022, the amount of iron or steel cans imported worldwide shrank to 12B units, declining by -5.7% against the previous year. 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 20%. Global imports peaked at 13B units in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, iron or steel can imports amounted to $3B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 17%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Belgium (1.7B units), followed by the Netherlands (1,138M units), France (1,048M units), Germany (836M units), Canada (789M units) and Poland (538M units) represented the key importers of iron or steel cans, together comprising 52% of total imports. The UK (508M units), Portugal (356M units), the United States (354M units), Algeria (298M units), Ireland (276M units), Romania (241M units) and Vietnam (226M units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Ireland (with a CAGR of +29.2%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest iron or steel can importing markets worldwide were Belgium ($357M), the Netherlands ($305M) and France ($277M), together accounting for 31% of global imports. Canada, Germany, the United States, Poland, Portugal, the UK, Algeria, Vietnam, Romania and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 37%.

Ireland, with a CAGR of +12.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average iron or steel can import price stood at $0.3 per unit in 2022, surging by 16% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 17%. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($0.4 per unit), while Ireland (less than $0.1 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+4.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Iron or Steel Cans

In 2022, overseas shipments of iron or steel cans decreased by -4.3% to 12B units, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 13B units. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the global exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, iron or steel can exports expanded rapidly to $3.2B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (1.9B units), followed by Spain (1,113M units), Germany (968M units), the United States (932M units), the Netherlands (803M units), Turkey (775M units) and France (553M units) were the key exporters of iron or steel cans, together generating 60% of total exports. The following exporters - Italy (412M units), the UK (380M units), Mexico (360M units), Belgium (290M units), the Czech Republic (275M units) and Poland (244M units) - together made up 17% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +13.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($719M) remains the largest iron or steel can supplier worldwide, comprising 22% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($333M), with a 10% share of global exports. It was followed by the United States, with a 7.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China amounted to +19.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (-0.5% per year) and the United States (+9.8% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average iron or steel can export price stood at $0.3 per unit in 2022, with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 22%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 China ($0.4 per unit), while the Czech Republic ($0.2 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+5.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform