In 2023, France imported approximately 1.950 million kilograms of fish plates and sole plates made of iron or steel. According to forecasts, a consistent upward trend is anticipated over the next five years, with imports reaching 2.1824 million kilograms by 2028. The year-on-year growth rate is forecasted at 2.4% from 2024 to 2025, 2.3% from 2025 to 2026, 2.2% from 2026 to 2027, and 2.1% from 2027 to 2028. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the five-year period is expected to be approximately 2.25%.

Future trends to watch include:

Potential shifts in railway infrastructure investment in France, which could impact import demand.
Global steel market fluctuations affecting supply chains and cost structures.
Advances in railway technology potentially driving changes in material specifications.