In the first half of 2026, exports from the main steel districts grew by 1.9%. Imports decreased by 9.2%.
The Italian steel industry is holding up on foreign markets, but at very different rates across regions.
In the first half of 2026, exports in value of steel products, pipes and other products from the first transformation of steel from the top ten Italian steel hubs reached almost 6.9 billion euros , compared to 6.7 billion in the same period of 2025, marking a growth of 1.9% .
The data for the top ten hubs is more dynamic than the overall export trend: overall, they fell by 0.1% in value in the half-year, compared to a 0.2% increase in volume . This slight decrease, explains the siderweb Research Office, is due to lower sales prices.
The rankings confirm Brescia at the top. Udine maintains second place, and Cremona third. However, the rankings show significant changes: Milan gains two spots, Reggio Emilia gains one, while Bergamo loses two and Lecco loses one .
Brescia strengthens its leadership. Milan climbs.
The Brescia hub remains Italy's leading steel hub in terms of export value, recording growth of 7.1% . This increase allows Brescia to widen its lead over Udine: the gap between the top two hubs increases from 74.7 to 96.5 million euros .
Udine maintains second place with a 5.3% increase in exports. However, Cremona recorded the strongest growth among the top ten hubs, consolidating its third place: +12.6%.
Mantua , fourth in the ranking, saw a 5.8% drop in exports. Milan saw significant growth, rising two places with a 4.5% increase. Vicenza retained its sixth position, with export values essentially unchanged compared to the first half of 2025.
The most negative figure in the ranking is that of Bergamo , which recorded a 19.5% contraction in exports and dropped two positions. On the other hand, Reggio Emilia recorded one of the most significant increases, with an 11.1% increase, and rose one position.
Terni grew by 7.8% and maintained its eighth place. Lecco rounded out the top 10, with exports down 3%.
Taranto , home to the Acciaierie d'Italia steelmaking hub, is also outside the top 20 in the first half of 2026. Exports fell by 86.5%. In 2025, the value had fallen by 40.3% compared to the previous year, stopping at 42 million euros (362 million in 2022).
Imports: €500 million less from the top ten hubs
The picture is changing for foreign purchases. In the first half of 2026, imports from the top ten steel hubs decreased by 9.2%, from 5.8 to 5.3 billion euros : approximately 500 million euros less in a year.
At the national level, the contraction is even more marked: imports of steel products, pipes, and other products from the first steel transformation decreased by 13% in value and 15.9% in quantity.
The different dynamics between European and non-EU suppliers is particularly significant. Imports from non-EU countries decreased by 22.5%, equal to approximately 1.6 million tonnes, while those from EU countries decreased by 2.1%. In the context outlined by the analysis by the siderweb Research Office, the reduction in non-EU purchases is also linked to the full implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) .
Valvitalia among the italian companies participating in the italy-egypt business forum in cairo.
President Salvatore Ruggeri: "Participation in the Forum confirms the value of the long-standing relationship with Egypt, consolidating a path of industrial collaboration and enhancing the capabilities of Italian industry." Chief Operating Officer Luca Ruggeri: "Egypt remains a key market for Valvitalia, with new opportunities linked to growing gas exports and strengthening collaboration between Italy and the North African country." Valvitalia participated in the Italy-Egypt Business Forum , held in Cairo, involving approximately 100 companies and over 600 professionals, including businesses and institutions from both countries. The event, which focused on sectors such as energy, green transition, infrastructure, and industrial technologies, was held with the aim of strengthening trade and investment, fostering new opportunities for collaboration. The Forum was held in the presence of Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani , as part of the institutional mission aimed at consolidating the partnership between Italy and Egypt. Also in attendance were Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin and Minister of Labor and Social Policies Marina Calderone. Participation in the event confirms the importance of the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region in Valvitalia's business. Overall, orders from the area represent nearly 30% of the Group's bookings, confirming the region's importance for business development. Valvitalia has been present in Egypt for over ten years and has built a significant portfolio of installed solutions supporting the country's energy infrastructure. Salvatore Ruggeri , President of Valvitalia , commented: "Participation in the Italy-Egypt Business Forum confirms the value of the relationships Valvitalia has built over time with the country and its institutional and industrial partners. Our presence in Egypt demonstrates the ability of Italian industry to provide expertise, technology, and manufacturing capabilities to support infrastructure development. Strengthening relations between Italy and Egypt is therefore an important step towards consolidating a long-term industrial collaboration." Luca Ruggeri , Chief Commercial Officer of Valvitalia, commented: "Egypt confirms its central role in our internationalization strategy. The evolution of the Egyptian energy system and, in particular, the investments aimed at strengthening gas export capacity open up new prospects for Valvitalia in a sector that represents our core business. The Mattei Plan also contributes to strengthening the framework of collaboration between the two countries and creating new development opportunities for Italian companies." In 2025, trade between Italy and Egypt reached 5.9 billion euros, an 11.7% increase compared to the previous year, while in the first five months of 2026 it recorded a further 7.5% increase. The growing collaboration between the two countries is also supported by the Mattei Plan , which identifies Egypt among the focus countries and priority partners.
Industriale.it certification