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The EU just approved aggressive safeguards targeting ferro-alloy imports! 🚨
Starting November 18, 2025, European importers face a dual-tier system that could reshape global supply chains.
What’s changing:
→ Tariff-rate quotas limit duty-free imports to 75% of 2022-2024 averages
→ Variable duties trigger when imports exceed quarterly allocations
→ Price thresholds set dramatically above current market rates
The numbers are staggering:
Ferro-silicon threshold: €2,408/tonne vs current market €1,180-1,235
That’s a 95-105% premium over today’s prices!
Who’s affected:
✓ Norway and Iceland (47.4% of EU imports) despite EEA membership
✓ Seven domestic EU producers seeking market share protection
✓ Steel manufacturers facing potential supply disruptions
Market reality check:
Industry experts warn these thresholds are disconnected from current conditions. Most imports will trigger variable duties, potentially forcing substitution toward silicon metal or alternative materials.
The quarterly distribution prevents front-loading but creates supply uncertainty for European manufacturers relying on consistent ferro-alloy access.
This represents the EU’s most significant trade defence action in the ferro-alloy sector, with implications extending far beyond European borders.
