France import price index: iron, steel and first processing
France import price index: iron, steel and first processing stood at 93.9 in Aug 2026, according to INSEE – Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (BDM). It is one of the indicators in the Foreign trade prices and volumes table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 2005 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Foreign trade prices and volumes table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Import prices | |||||||||||
| G24A - Iron and steel products and first processing of steel | 93.9 | 93.6 | 92.4 | 92.1 | 92 | 90.1 | 89.6 | 88.2 | 86.6 | 85.6 | |
| G25B - Manufacture of tanks, metal reservoirs and containers | 117.5 | 117.1 | 116.8 | 116.2 | 116.7 | 116.3 | 115.7 | 116.1 | 116.3 | 116.5 |
Understanding france import price index: iron, steel and first processing
This series gauges purchase costs for foreign-sourced iron, steel, and initial processing outputs like bars, rods, and basic sheets. It isolates basic metallurgical products from fabricated metal structures and complex machinery, focusing strictly on foundational mill work. The measure serves as a primary gauge of heavy industrial material costs entering the domestic market.
Reading the data demands close attention to global steel mill capacity utilization and raw material input costs like coking coal and iron ore. Initial monthly figures are subject to regular updates as heavy freight and customs documents are reconciled. Year-on-year comparisons are recommended to bypass volatile spot-market auctions and temporary mill maintenance shutdowns. Users should avoid conflating basic steel prices with the costs of finished metal goods, which incorporate significant additional fabrication labor.
Frequently asked questions
- What specific materials are included in iron, steel and first processing?
- Raw steel, iron ingots, primary sheets, bars, rods, and basic mill shapes.
- Why do preliminary figures for basic metals often get revised?
- Heavy freight shipping weights and detailed customs classifications require secondary verification after initial release.
- How should analysts evaluate trends in this metallurgical import series?
- Annual comparisons help filter out short-term spot market volatility and seasonal mill maintenance schedules.