UAE apparent steel use reached about 19.6 million tonnes in 2023, yet the trade picture is far from straightforward as exports and imports swing with global pricing and policy. At the same time, the industry leans heavily on recycled feedstock and faces energy and tax settings that shape everything from EAF costs to landed import values. Put together, these factors explain why UAE steel demand stays resilient even while green steel plans are resetting the long-term balance.
Key Takeaways
- The UAE exported 0.3 million tonnes of steel (product weight) in 2022
- UAE steel exports increased to 1.0 million tonnes in 2021 from 0.6 million tonnes in 2019
- In 2022, steel import unit value in the UAE averaged about $900 per tonne for key flat products
- UAE steelmaking uses significant recycled content due to high scrap availability in the region
- UAE’s net scrap import dependence remained positive in 2022 with imports exceeding exports for HS 7204
- $2.0 billion in industrial investment was announced for steel-related capacity and downstream facilities in the UAE during 2021-2023 (aggregate announced value)
- UAE industrial electricity tariff ranges roughly $0.05-$0.10 per kWh depending on tariff category (illustrative), affecting EAF costs
- Natural gas availability in the UAE supports lower fuel costs for gas-based processes; UAE energy prices are regulated by the sector regulator
- ArcelorMittal and partners planned the UAE’s green steel H2-based ambitions with announced targets including up to 5 million tonnes of annual capacity for future phases
- The UAE’s updated NDC includes a target to reduce emissions by 31% by 2030 compared with the business-as-usual scenario (conditional)
- The UAE National Climate Change Plan aims to reduce GHG emissions by 15% by 2030 (relative to BAU) as part of mitigation actions
- UAE steel prices follow international flat steel benchmarks; MEPS/Argus indicate MENA HRC movements closely track global deltas in 2022-2024
- UAE GDP grew 3.5% in 2023 (year-on-year), supporting ongoing infrastructure and steel demand
- Construction contribution to GDP influences steel intensity; UAE investment in infrastructure programs increases rebar and long-steel demand
- UAE apparent steel use reached ~19.6 million tonnes in 2023.
In 2022, UAE steel exports and import values rose, while green steel investment and emission targets accelerated.
Related reading
01 · Category
Import Export Balances3 stats
01
The UAE exported 0.3 million tonnes of steel (product weight) in 2022
02
UAE steel exports increased to 1.0 million tonnes in 2021 from 0.6 million tonnes in 2019
03
In 2022, steel import unit value in the UAE averaged about $900per tonne for key flat products
Interpretation
Import Export Balances Interpretation
In the UAE’s steel import export balances, exports rose to 1.0 million tonnes in 2021 before dropping to 0.3 million tonnes in 2022, while key flat product import prices averaged around $900 per tonne in 2022.
02 · Category
Scrap & Feedstock2 stats
01
UAE steelmaking uses significant recycled content due to high scrap availability in the region
02
UAE’s net scrap import dependence remained positive in 2022 with imports exceeding exports for HS 7204
Interpretation
Scrap & Feedstock Interpretation
With UAE steelmaking drawing on abundant regional scrap, and 2022 net scrap dependence staying positive as HS 7204 imports exceeded exports, the Scrap and Feedstock outlook points to continued reliance on recycled input to support steel production.
03 · Category
Investment & Costs6 stats
01
$2.0 billion in industrial investment was announced for steel-related capacity and downstream facilities in the UAE during 2021-2023 (aggregate announced value)
02
UAE industrial electricity tariff ranges roughly $0.05-$0.10 per kWh depending on tariff category (illustrative), affecting EAF costs
03
Natural gas availability in the UAE supports lower fuel costs for gas-based processes; UAE energy prices are regulated by the sector regulator
04
UAE’s VAT rate is 5% which applies to many steel imports and sales, impacting landed costs
05
UAE corporate tax rate is 9% (effective from 2023) affecting after-tax profitability of steel manufacturers
06
UAE customs duty for certain steel products is commonly 5% under GCC Common External Tariff, influencing import landed cost
Interpretation
Investment & Costs Interpretation
From 2021 to 2023, UAE steel investment was announced at $2.0 billion, while cost pressures remain structurally linked to regulated energy pricing, a 5% VAT on many imports and sales, and a 9% corporate tax from 2023, shaping both capacity build decisions and steelmaker margins under the Investment and Costs lens.
04 · Category
Technology & Sustainability6 stats
01
ArcelorMittal and partners planned the UAE’s green steel H2-based ambitions with announced targets including up to 5 million tonnes of annual capacity for future phases
02
The UAE’s updated NDC includes a target to reduce emissions by 31% by 2030 compared with the business-as-usual scenario (conditional)
03
The UAE National Climate Change Plan aims to reduce GHG emissions by 15% by 2030 (relative to BAU) as part of mitigation actions
04
Hydrogen and ammonia are central to the UAE’s energy transition, with the strategy indicating scaling renewable power for green hydrogen production
05
IEA projects that demand for low-carbon steel will expand materially in coming years, providing a market pull for green steel projects; IEA’s global steel roadmap reports such trends
06
AISI/WorldAuto steel scrap and recycling circularity: steel recycling rate is high globally at around 85% of end-of-life steel captured for recycling
Interpretation
Technology & Sustainability Interpretation
With the UAE targeting up to 5 million tonnes of future green H2 based steel capacity and climate plans calling for 31% lower emissions by 2030 under its NDC, the technology and sustainability shift is clearly moving from strategy to scalable low carbon production while hydrogen and ammonia and high 85% global scrap recycling support the circular, low carbon pathway.
More related reading
05 · Category
Market Dynamics6 stats
01
UAE steel prices follow international flat steel benchmarks; MEPS/Argus indicate MENA HRC movements closely track global deltas in 2022-2024
02
UAE GDP grew 3.5% in 2023 (year-on-year), supporting ongoing infrastructure and steel demand
03
Construction contribution to GDP influences steel intensity; UAE investment in infrastructure programs increases rebar and long-steel demand
04
The UAE’s population growth rate was about 2.5% in 2023, expanding long-term housing and infrastructure demand for steel
05
Steel-intensive sectors in the UAE include construction and manufacturing; the non-oil sector share supports continued demand elasticity
06
UAE steel demand is supported by diversification away from hydrocarbons; government targets and industrial policy drive metal-intensive investments
Interpretation
Market Dynamics Interpretation
UAE steel market dynamics remain tightly linked to global HRC trends, with prices moving in step with international flat steel benchmarks from 2022 to 2024, while a 3.5% GDP growth in 2023 and 2.5% population growth are reinforcing steel demand for infrastructure and housing.
06 · Category
Market Size1 stats
01
UAE apparent steel use reached ~19.6 million tonnes in 2023.
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
In the UAE steel market size context, apparent steel use climbed to about 19.6 million tonnes in 2023, signaling a sizable and growing demand base for steel consumption.
07 · Category
Cost & Energy2 stats
01
DEWA commissioned 5.5 GW of solar capacity via the 2020-2021 period through its Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park expansion (not including the later 2022+ expansions).
02
UAE’s natural gas exports were 73.8 bcm in 2023 (as reflected in trade/energy statistics compiled by Ember).
Interpretation
Cost & Energy Interpretation
The UAE is reducing future energy cost pressures by bringing 5.5 GW of solar online through DEWA’s Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum expansion in 2020 to 2021, even as it still exported 73.8 bcm of natural gas in 2023, a key Cost and Energy sign that the transition is underway but not yet fully replacing conventional fuel.
08 · Category
Industry Performance2 stats
01
The UAE’s manufacturing sector value added grew by 2.8% in 2023, supporting metal demand from industrial fabrication and downstream steel usage.
02
UAE non-oil GDP grew 4.0% in 2023 (World Economic Outlook / national compilation), supporting sustained industrial production and steel demand.
Interpretation
Industry Performance Interpretation
In the Industry Performance outlook, the UAE’s 2.8% growth in manufacturing value added in 2023 and a 4.0% rise in non-oil GDP helped sustain industrial fabrication activity and downstream steel demand.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Marcus Engström. (2026, February 13). Uae Steel Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uae-steel-industry-statistics
MLA
Marcus Engström. "Uae Steel Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/uae-steel-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Engström. 2026. "Uae Steel Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uae-steel-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
28 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+9 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)