South Africa was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Iron chromium alloy that is the main source of chromium for stainless steel. Buyers are stainless steel mills and alloy foundries.
Typical segments
- High carbon ferrochrome
- Charge chrome
- Low carbon ferrochrome
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 629% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €65.6 million of products under CN code 72024110 (Ferro-chromium, containing by weight > 4% but <= 6% carbon) from outside the EU in 2025. | 65.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 72024110 were up 629% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€9.0 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +629 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 72024110 to countries outside the EU were worth €403 thousand in 2025. | 403 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 72024110 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.8 million in 2025. | 1.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| South Africa was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 72024110 to the EU in 2025, with €60.5 million, or 92% of extra-EU imports. | 60.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 72024110 to the United States were €1 thousand in 2025. | 1 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 72024110 was €0.96 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 0.96 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Italy was the largest EU exporter of CN 72024110 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €273 thousand. | 273 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 3,019 enterprises in NACE class C2410 (Manufacture of basic iron and steel and of ferro-alloys) in 2023. | 3,019 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2410 had net turnover of €192.96 billion in 2023. | 192.96 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2410 employed 315,126 people across the EU in 2023. | 315,126 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,058 private establishments in NAICS 331110 (Iron and steel mills and ferroalloy manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,058 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 331110 employed an average of 84,011 people in US private industry in 2025. | 84,011 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 331110 changed by +4% between 2020 (80,806 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +4 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 331110 was $118,592 in 2025. | 118,592 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 72024110, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 65601711
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 72024110, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 9002255; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 65601711
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 72024110, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 402637
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 72024110, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1803513
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 72024110, partner ZA, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 60526464
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 72024110, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1115
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 72024110, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 65601711, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 680133
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter IT, product 72024110, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 272837
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2410, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 3019
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2410, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 192957
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2410, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 315126
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 331110, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331110, annual_avg_estabs 1058
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331110, annual_avg_emplvl 84011
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 80806; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 84011
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331110, avg_annual_pay 118592
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Stainless steel mills
- Alloy foundries
- Metal traders
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU ferrochrome market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €65.6 million of goods under CN 72024110 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €403 thousand.
Where does the EU import ferrochrome from?
South Africa was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Oman, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan.
What is the average import price of ferrochrome in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €0.96 per kilogram for CN 72024110 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most ferrochrome?
Italy led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Spain, Sweden.
How many US companies are in the ferrochrome industry?
BLS counts 1,058 private establishments in NAICS 331110 (Iron and steel mills and ferroalloy manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the ferrochrome industry?
Eurostat counts 3,019 enterprises in NACE class C2410 (Manufacture of basic iron and steel and of ferro-alloys).
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