Exports from the metallurgical industry in September totaled €2.18 billion, enough for the sector to guarantee its best monthly record ever, with a growth of 6.7% compared to the same period last yearand start to believe in another record year for Metal Portugal on the external front.
In the first 9 months of the year, the sector’s sales abroad increased by 3.5%to €18.03 billion, show figures from AIMMAP, the metallurgical and metalworking industry association.
“It is yet another enormous proof of excellence and resilience of the sector that thus achieves remarkable results in the face of all restrictions on free trade that we currently face”, comments the vice-president of AIMMAP, Rafael Campos Pereira, “I am convinced that the year will end with results superior to the year 2024, and will most likely reach the record values achieved in the best year ever, 2023”.
Germany and USA among the biggest falls
“The performance that Metal Portugal has shown for so many years is the best proof that it is a strategic sector, worthy of a focused, specific and strategic investment of national and European resources”, he adds.
However, the association leader leaves a warning: “The instability and the current global situation must impose on the government and the EU a greater level of coherence and adequacy of the policies adopted. The OE proposal for 2026 was disappointing for being too conservative, incapable of committing to economic growth, nor of ensuring increased competitiveness.”
In his opinion, “the strong growth in public expenditure is worrying and is a factor that prevents a steeper drop in taxes”. At a European level, he points the finger “at the constant contradictions in European Industrial Policy and the impact this is already having on the manufacturing industry”. “The recent measure that increases the rate to be applied to steel imports to 50% will certainly contribute to relocating the European manufacturing industry and negatively and sustainably affecting the dynamics of the European economy”, he explains.
By country, the highlights positive this year in terms of growth are Turkey, Ireland, Ukraine, Canada and Latvia. Conversely, the sharpest falls in exports from the national metallurgical industry are led by Germany, Spain, France and the USA.