Steel demand in the Middle East increased by 2.8% year on year to 59.5 million tons in 2025. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) account for 50% to 60% of this total. 

In the first three quarters of 2025, Saudi Arabia and the UAE imported 4.06 million tons and 4.24 million tons of Chinese steel, increasing by 24.5% and 10.7% year on year, respectively.

The UAE's steel imports from China are primarily used in construction, accounting for 70% of the total. Rebar constitutes 40% to 50%, wire rod 20% to 25%, and steel plate 15% to 20%. These products are primarily used in real estate and infrastructure projects, rebar processing, and the production of small components, as well as in steel structures for industrial plants and plazas.

Some market participants indicated that China's steel exports are seeing robust demand in the Middle Eastern market, especially accelerated by policies and infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.