Product intelligence · HS 730512 · 2024 data

Iron or steel (excluding cast iron): line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines (not seamless), longitudinally welded (not submerged arc welded), having circular cross-sections, external diameter exceeds 406.4mm

Global exports of iron or steel (excluding cast iron): line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines (not seamless), longitudinally welded (not submerged arc welded), having circular cross-sections, external diameter exceeds 406.4mm totalled $515,088,016 in 2024, a -24.3% change from the previous year. Traded by 84 countries across 618 bilateral corridors, with demand from 149 importing markets. The long-term trend is rapid growth.

Data: OECD BIMTS · Coverage: 19952024 · Updated: 2026-07-17

Global trade

$515.1M

-24.3% YoY

3Y / 5Y CAGR

+12.8%

5Y: -7.2%

Supply structure

Diversified

HHI 0.147

Volatility

Low

Score 14/100

1.

Market movement

In 2024, iron or steel (excluding cast iron): line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines (not seamless), longitudinally welded (not submerged arc welded), having circular cross-sections, external diameter exceeds 406.4mm trade exhibited significant decline, with global flows reaching $515,088,016 and a three-year compound annual growth rate of +12.8% (five-year: -7.2%). The all-time peak of $1,500,182,828 was recorded in 2015; the current level is 66% below that high-water mark.

Over the 30-year observation window (19952024), 62% of years recorded positive growth, indicating a mildly upward trajectory with periodic contractions. Trend momentum is strengthening (+20.9% acceleration).

The World Trade Flows Characterization classifies iron or steel (excluding cast iron): line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines (not seamless), longitudinally welded (not submerged arc welded), having circular cross-sections, external diameter exceeds 406.4mm as "One-way trade" in the medium price range price segment, providing additional context for market positioning and competitive dynamics.

2.

Supply & demand structure

The supply side is diversified (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index 0.147). The three largest exporters — Greece ($277.2M), South Korea ($172.2M), and Germany ($101.8M) — collectively dominate supply flows. The leading exporter has grown at +12.2% over the last three years.

On the demand side, importer concentration is diversified (HHI 0.142). The three largest import markets are United States ($176.6M), Kazakhstan ($49.7M), and Saudi Arabia ($33.5M). The largest importing market sources from 13 different supplying countries.

Estimated substitution elasticity: -6.26. Buyers are highly price-sensitive and can switch between suppliers relatively easily.

The dominant trade corridor is South Korea → United States at $75.3M, representing 42.7% of the importer's total demand.

3.

Risk profile & trade outlook

The volatility score for iron or steel (excluding cast iron): line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines (not seamless), longitudinally welded (not submerged arc welded), having circular cross-sections, external diameter exceeds 406.4mm is 14 out of 100, classified as low. Trade flows are relatively stable compared to other HS6 products, suggesting mature supply chains and predictable demand.

For market entrants, contracting demand signals caution before committing resources. The diversified supply landscape means many competitors but also multiple entry points and buyer relationships to target.

Data confidence is rated "High" based on reporting coverage and consistency across OECD member and partner countries.

Historical evidence

Annual trade value 19952024

Peak: $1,500,182,828 in 2015. Currently 66% below peak.

YearGlobal trade (USD)YoY growth
2015$1,500,182,828+24.9%
2016$481,760,114-67.9%
2017$638,472,876+32.5%
2018$1,086,436,196+70.2%
2019$748,881,759-31.1%
2020$578,042,211-22.8%
2021$358,877,854-37.9%
2022$516,572,013+43.9%
2023$680,329,208+31.7%
2024$515,088,016-24.3%

Top exporting countries

Ranked by export value of iron or steel (excluding cast iron): line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines (not seamless), longitudinally welded (not submerged arc welded), having circular cross-sections, external diameter exceeds 406.4mm in 2024.

View all 84 exporters →

Top importing markets

Largest import destinations for iron or steel (excluding cast iron): line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines (not seamless), longitudinally welded (not submerged arc welded), having circular cross-sections, external diameter exceeds 406.4mm.

View all 149 markets →

Leading trade corridors

Largest bilateral export flows for iron or steel (excluding cast iron): line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines (not seamless), longitudinally welded (not submerged arc welded), having circular cross-sections, external diameter exceeds 406.4mm, ranked by value. Click any country to view its full profile.

#ExporterImporterValue 20243Y CAGR
1South KoreaUnited States$75.3M+17.2%
2GermanyUnited States$58.3M+75.7%
3RussiaKazakhstan$49.4M+66.7%
4United KingdomQatar$34.8M+634.9%
5South KoreaSaudi Arabia$23.3M+513.2%
6GreeceSaudi Arabia$19.6M
7GreeceUnited States$19.0M+251.9%
8JapanSingapore$18.2M+54.0%

Showing top 8 of 10 corridors with available data for 2024.

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Sources, definitions & methodology

Data source

OECD Bilateral International Merchandise Trade Statistics (BIMTS). Aggregated from 312M+ reported trade records across 200+ countries and 5,300+ HS6 product codes. Coverage: 19952024.

Key indicators

HHI (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index): market concentration, 0 = fully diversified, 1 = single player. CAGR: compound annual growth rate over a stated period. Volatility score: trade value variability, 0–100 scale.

How this page is made

All statistical content on this page is data-driven, composed programmatically from live OECD trade records. No generic AI-generated prose is used. Analytical paragraphs combine real data points with factual interpretation. This page was last refreshed on 2026-07-17.