Steel decreased 101 Yuan/MT or 3.05% since the beginning of 2025, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Steel - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on March of 2025.

China steel prices continue to level off from mid-May heights off the back of sluggish seasonal demand, declines in domestic manufacturer steel consumption and government pledges to curb “unreasonable” demand, despite tighter climate controls on steel production. Overall, Asia-Pacific steel prices are still set to stay elevated in the medium-term with support from robust infrastructure spending, though concerns loom oversupply capacity expansions in South-East Asia and tightening of fiscal spending in China.

The stainless steel prices in the United States for Q3 2024 reached 3985 USD/MT in September. The USA faced rise in prices driven by robust demand for stainless steel from sectors like automotive and construction. Despite challenges like increased imports and global market uncertainties, the pricing environment displayed strong upward momentum.

Explore IMARC’s newly published report, titled “Stainless Steel Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data Report 2025 Edition,” offers an in-depth analysis of stainless steel pricing, covering an analysis of global and regional market trends and the critical factors driving these price movements.

In 2025, the price of platinum is forecast to hover around 1,150 U.S. dollars per troy ounce. Meanwhile, the cost of per troy ounce of gold is expected to amount to 1,700 U.S. dollars.

Precious metals

Precious metals are counted among the most valuable commodities worldwide. The most well known such metals are gold, silver and the platinum group metals. A precious metal can be used as an industrial commodity or as an investment. The major areas of application include the following sectors: technology, car-making, industrial manufacturing and jewelry making. Furthermore, gold and silver are used as coinage metals, and gold reserves are held by the central banks of many countries worldwide in order to store value or for use as a redemption medium. The idea behind this procedure is that gold reserves will help secure and stabilize the countries’ respective currencies. At 8,100 tons, the United States is the country with the most extensive stock of gold. It is kept in an underground vault at the New York Federal Reserve Bank.

Russia, the United States, Canada, South Africa and China are the main producers of precious metals. Silver is the most abundant of the metals, followed by gold and palladium. Barrick Gold is the world’s largest gold mining company. The Toronto-based firm produced some five million ounces of gold in 2020. The leading silver producers include Mexico-based Fresnillo, Poland’s KGHM Polska Miedž and the mining giant Glencore. Anglo Platinum and Impala are the key mining companies to produce platinum group metals.

In 2023, Silver prices are expected to settle at around 23.5 U.S. dollars per troy ounce. It is expected to remain the precious metal with the lowest value per ounce. The price of gold is forecast to drop to around 1,663 U.S. dollars per ounce, making it the most expensive precious metal in 2023.

HRC Steel increased 180.96 USD/T or 25.52% since the beginning of 2025, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for HRC Steel.

The global special steel market size in 2020 amounted to 214.8 billion U.S. dollars, a year-on-year decrease of 15.6 percent. Nonetheless, the special steel market size is expected to increase constantly in the coming years, reaching almost 363 billion U.S. dollars by the end of 2027.

The electrical steel prices in the United States for Q3 2024 reached 5895 USD/MT in September. The prices of electrical steel in the country exhibited a sustained upward trajectory throughout Q3, reflecting a favorable market environment. Year-over-year price growth highlighted this positive momentum, with prices increasing in the second half of Q3 in comparison to the first.

In 2023, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in the U.S. market for raw steel and pig iron, when its value decreased by -7.6% to $14B. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a noticeable shrinkage. Raw steel and pig iron consumption peaked at $17.8B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2023, consumption remained at a lower figure.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the price of the HRB steel in the United States reached 1515 USD/MT by December. It encompasses an in-depth review of spot price of HRB steel at major ports, a breakdown of prices including Ex Works, FOB, and CIF, alongside a region-wise dissection of HRB steel price trend across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

In 2024, the global cold-rolled steel products market decreased by -6.8% to $208.7B, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, the total consumption indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period.

In 2024, after two years of growth, there was decline in the Indian market for hot-rolled bars of high speed steel, when its value decreased by -5% to $6.4B. Overall, the total consumption indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption increased by +64.3% against 2014 indices.

This statistic shows steel scrap prices worldwide between the 2013 and 2016 calendar years, and gives a forecast through 2021. In 2018, it is expected that the price of steel scrap will come to around 197 U.S. dollars per metric ton.

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was decline in the Cuban iron and steel market, when its value decreased by -4.3% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a remarkable increase. Iron and steel consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell slightly in the following year.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the price of the flat steel in the USA reached 3479 USD/MT by December. Similarly, in China, the flat steel prices hit 1858 USD/MT in the same month. The Germany also saw flat steel prices reaching 3125 USD/MT during Q4 2023.

Explore IMARC’s newly published report, titled “Flat Steel Pricing Report 2024: Price Trend, Chart, Market Analysis, News, Demand, Historical and Forecast Data,” offers an in-depth analysis of flat steel pricing, covering an analysis of global and regional market trends and the critical factors driving these price movements.

The Global Stainless Steel Market Report is Segmented by Type (Cold Flat, Hot Coils, Cold Bars, Hot Bars, Hot Plate and Sheet, and Others), End-User Industry (Automotive & Transportation, Building & Construction, Metal Products, Electrical Machinery, Mechanical Engineering, and Others), and Geography (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, and the Middle-East and Africa). The Report Offers Market Size and Forecasts for the Stainless Steel Market in Volume (million Tons) for all the Above Segments.

Steel Market size was valued at USD 1245.33 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 2085.37 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 2.25% from 2024 to 2031.

Global Steel Market Drivers

“Global Economic Growth: As steel is a necessary component of many industries, including manufacturing, infrastructure, and construction, economic growth usually results in higher demand for the metal. Steel has historically been in high demand due to the robust economic expansion in emerging economies, especially in nations like China and India.

Infrastructure Development: A significant amount of steel is needed for infrastructure projects like utilities, roads, bridges, railroads, and airports. The construction of infrastructure through government programmes can greatly increase the demand for steel.

Urbanisation and Industrialization: The need for steel is driven by the fast-paced urbanisation and industrialization occurring in developing nations. Steel is used in the construction and manufacturing of machinery, equipment, and residential and commercial buildings.

Automotive Industry: Especially for car bodywork, chassis, and other components, the automotive industry is a significant consumer of steel. The demand for steel may rise in response to increases in auto sales and manufacturing.

Construction Sector: A sizeable amount of steel consumption is accounted for by construction activities, which include residential, commercial, and industrial construction. Government infrastructure expenditure, urbanisation trends, and population expansion all have an impact on demand in the building industry.

Energy Sector: Pipelines, offshore platforms, and power generation facilities are just a few examples of the infrastructure in which steel is crucial. Steel consumption may be influenced by an increase in power infrastructure, oil and gas exploration, and renewable energy initiatives.

The Europe cold-rolled steel products market reached $38.5B in 2024, picking up by 6.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $51.8B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The price of zinc is forecast to increase to 1.82 U.S. dollars per pound by 2028, from an estimated price of 1.49 U.S. dollars per pound in 2020. Zinc is a base metal with many uses, including used to galvanise other metals. Zinc oxide is used in the manufacturing of products such as batteries, paint, inks, soaps, pharmaceuticals, and more.

Discover how a slowdown in global steel production is influencing coking coal prices, with forecasts predicting moderate declines by 2025.

Iron Ore decreased 1.36 USD/MT or 1.31% since the beginning of 2025, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Iron Ore - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on March of 2025.