Oct 12, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Wire Rod Used For Concrete Reinforcing – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The UK market for wire rod used in concrete reinforcing is forecast to grow slowly in volume (CAGR +0.1%) but more steadily in value (CAGR +1.6%) from 2024 to 2035, reaching 3.5M tons and $3.1B respectively by 2035. In 2024, consumption was stable at 3.5M tons, while domestic production fell to 3.4M tons. The UK remains a net importer, with Portugal and Germany as the leading suppliers, while exports saw a significant decline of 28.6% in 2024. Market value peaked in 2022 at $3.1B before contracting to $2.6B in 2024.
Key Findings
Market volume forecast to grow at a minimal CAGR of +0.1%, reaching 3.5M tons by 2035Market value is projected to increase at a CAGR of +1.6%, reaching $3.1B by 2035Domestic production decreased by -2.7% in 2024, while consumption remained stableImports grew by 11% in 2024, with Portugal and Germany as the primary suppliersExports plummeted by -28.6% in 2024, with Turkey and Ireland as key destinationsMarket Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for wire rod used for concrete reinforcing in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3.5M tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $3.1B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Wire Rod Used For Concrete Reinforcing
In 2024, consumption of wire rod used for concrete reinforcing decreased by -0.1% to 3.5M tons, falling for the second consecutive year after ten years of growth. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. Concrete reinforcing wire rod consumption peaked at 3.5M tons in 2022; afterwards, it flattened through to 2024.
The value of the concrete reinforcing wire rod market in the UK contracted modestly to $2.6B in 2024, therefore, remained relatively stable 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). Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated noticeable growth from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -16.0% against 2022 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $3.1B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Wire Rod Used For Concrete Reinforcing
In 2024, approx. 3.4M tons of wire rod used for concrete reinforcing were produced in the UK; shrinking by -2.7% compared with the previous year’s figure. In general, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the production volume increased by 4.9%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum volume at 3.6M tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, concrete reinforcing wire rod production fell modestly to $2.6B in 2024 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a slight increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production decreased by -22.5% against 2022 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 38%. Concrete reinforcing wire rod production peaked at $3.4B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Wire Rod Used For Concrete Reinforcing
For the fourth consecutive year, the UK recorded growth in overseas purchases of wire rod used for concrete reinforcing, which increased by 11% to 218K tons in 2024. Overall, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at 219K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, concrete reinforcing wire rod imports expanded notably to $168M in 2024. In general, imports recorded a mild increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 57% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $222M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
Imports By Country
Portugal (93K tons), Germany (68K tons) and Spain (17K tons) were the main suppliers of concrete reinforcing wire rod imports to the UK, together comprising 82% of total imports. The Czech Republic, France, Turkey and Egypt lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 18%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by France (with a CAGR of +26.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest concrete reinforcing wire rod suppliers to the UK were Portugal ($69M), Germany ($51M) and the Czech Republic ($14M), together comprising 80% of total imports. Spain, France, Turkey and Egypt lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.
In terms of the main suppliers, France, with a CAGR of +31.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The average concrete reinforcing wire rod import price stood at $772 per ton in 2024, remaining constant against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a mild increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 55%. The import price peaked at $1,135 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.
Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the countries with the highest prices were the Czech Republic ($902 per ton) and France ($854 per ton), while the price for Egypt ($731 per ton) and Portugal ($745 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ukraine (+4.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Wire Rod Used For Concrete Reinforcing
In 2024, the amount of wire rod used for concrete reinforcing exported from the UK fell sharply to 177K tons, waning by -28.6% on the previous year’s figure. In general, exports continue to indicate a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. The exports peaked at 594K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, concrete reinforcing wire rod exports plummeted to $141M in 2024. Over the period under review, exports saw a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 with an increase of 15%. The exports peaked at $415M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
Turkey (37K tons), the Czech Republic (19K tons) and Belgium (18K tons) were the main destinations of concrete reinforcing wire rod exports from the UK, together accounting for 42% of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +6.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest markets for concrete reinforcing wire rod exported from the UK were Turkey ($27M), Ireland ($15M) and the Czech Republic ($15M), together comprising 41% of total exports.
The Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +6.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the average concrete reinforcing wire rod export price amounted to $797 per ton, declining by -2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated modest growth from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, concrete reinforcing wire rod export price decreased by -28.6% against 2022 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 88% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $1,116 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the export prices remained at a lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ireland ($1,211 per ton), while the average price for exports to Taiwan (Chinese) ($691 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Ireland (+5.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.