Jun 15, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Iron Or Steel Bridges And Bridge-Sections – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
Driven by rising demand, the iron or steel bridges market in the UK is set to experience a slight increase in performance with projected CAGR of +1.9% in volume and +3.3% in value from 2024 to 2035. By the end of 2035, the market volume is expected to reach 26K tons and the market value is projected to reach $165M (in nominal wholesale prices).
Market Forecast
Driven by rising demand for iron or steel bridges in the UK, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.9% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 26K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.3% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $165M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Iron Or Steel Bridges And Bridge-Sections
For the third consecutive year, the UK recorded growth in consumption of iron or steel bridges and bridge-sections, which increased by 6.4% to 21K tons in 2024. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, consumption hit record highs at 34K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
The revenue of the iron or steel bridges market in the UK skyrocketed to $116M in 2024, surging by 17% 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). In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Iron or steel bridges consumption peaked at $140M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Iron Or Steel Bridges And Bridge-Sections
In 2024, the amount of iron or steel bridges and bridge-sections produced in the UK shrank slightly to 15K tons, waning by -2.4% compared with 2023 figures. Over the period under review, production recorded a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 77%. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 33K tons. From 2018 to 2024, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, iron or steel bridges production expanded modestly to $93M in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a pronounced setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 34% against the previous year. Iron or steel bridges production peaked at $152M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Iron Or Steel Bridges And Bridge-Sections
Iron or steel bridges imports into the UK skyrocketed to 14K tons in 2024, rising by 47% on the previous year. In general, imports showed a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 when imports increased by 640% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at 21K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, iron or steel bridges imports surged to $77M in 2024. Over the period under review, imports saw buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 740%. Imports peaked in 2024 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.
Imports By Country
Belgium (4.3K tons), France (3.8K tons) and the Netherlands (2.5K tons) were the main suppliers of iron or steel bridges imports to the UK, with a combined 74% share of total imports.
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 +151.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Belgium ($29M), the Netherlands ($16M) and France ($9M) constituted the largest iron or steel bridges suppliers to the UK, together comprising 69% of total imports.
France, with a CAGR of +134.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The average iron or steel bridges import price stood at $5,396 per ton in 2024, jumping by 27% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a moderate expansion from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, iron or steel bridges import price increased by +25.8% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 29% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Ireland ($9,231 per ton), while the price for France ($2,383 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ireland (+23.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Iron Or Steel Bridges And Bridge-Sections
After two years of decline, shipments abroad of iron or steel bridges and bridge-sections increased by 58% to 7.8K tons in 2024. Overall, exports, however, saw a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 167% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at 15K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, iron or steel bridges exports skyrocketed to $53M in 2024. In general, exports, however, saw a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 195% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $82M in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
Ukraine (3.9K tons) was the main destination for iron or steel bridges exports from the UK, accounting for a 49% share of total exports. Moreover, iron or steel bridges exports to Ukraine exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Slovenia (733 tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Poland (721 tons), with a 9.2% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume to Ukraine stood at +195.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Slovenia (+146.8% per year) and Poland (+82.7% per year).
In value terms, Ukraine ($25M) remains the key foreign market for iron or steel bridges and bridge-sections exports from the UK, comprising 47% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Poland ($6.4M), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Slovenia, with a 7.7% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Ukraine totaled +167.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Poland (+79.0% per year) and Slovenia (+143.7% per year).
Export Prices By Country
The average iron or steel bridges export price stood at $6,784 per ton in 2024, growing by 9.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a mild increase from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, iron or steel bridges export price increased by +79.9% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the average export price increased by 31% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($11,432 per ton), while the average price for exports to Ireland ($1,436 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 Sweden (+4.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.