Steel rebar prices across Europe fell through most of 2025 as construction activity remained weak and buyers held back, while supply stayed broadly stable. Northern markets such as Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK saw persistent price softness due to slow project roll-outs and weak underlying consumption, limiting mills’ ability to sustain increases. Germany and Italy were more elevated driven by infrastructure demand. Spain emerged as the strongest market during 2025, underpinned by more active construction pipelines and firmer domestic consumption, while Norway also demonstrated greater resilience than much of Northern Europe.

In early 2026, trends began to diverge with steel rebar prices increasing in Germany, Spain and Norway compared with Q1 2024, driven by higher energy, transport and scrap costs, alongside tighter supply resulting from mill output curtailments. In contrast, Belgium and the Netherlands continued to lag due to weak demand and resistance to price increases. Israel also remained under pressure, affected by wider regional instability that has increased costs and uncertainty.

Steel prices across Europe in Q2 2026 are likely to come under pressure due to rising production costs and reduced import availability ahead of the 1st July implementation of tighter tariff-rate quotas. In the UK, prices are expected to rise despite weak construction demand, as buyers secure material ahead of revised safeguard measures; the 60% utilisation threshold within quotas may further restrict imports later in the quarter, influencing domestic prices and potentially impacting Ireland, which relies on UK supply. In Germany, rebar demand remains weak due to subdued construction activity; however, front loading of purchases is expected to create upward pressure in Q2 2026. Spain and Italy are seeing more stable construction demand, which is likely to support higher prices. Overall, pricing will vary by market, with local demand conditions and policy changes shaping outcomes rather than a single European trend.