Steel prices are projected to decline by an additional 4% in 2025 due to rising Chinese exports and weak demand in the EU, which are exerting downward pressure on the market. In 2024, China's steel exports surged by 25%, reaching 115-118 million tons, while EU steel-consuming industries experienced a 3-4% drop in activity. This led to an 11% year-on-year decrease in flat steel prices in Europe, pushing many producers toward insolvency. Analysts anticipate that average prices for flat products in the EU will continue to fall as global steel consumption is expected to decline by 0.7%.