Turkey exported 10 mln tons of steel in the first eight months of 2025, up nearly 13pct YoY, according to the Turkish Steel Producers’ Association (TCUD). Export revenues increased 4.4pct to USD 6.8 bln. In August alone, exports rose 6.8pct YoY to 1.2 mln tons, though their value slipped 1.2pct to USD 831.2 mln.
Imports outpaced exports, jumping 17.9pct YoY to 12.6 mln tons worth USD 8.8 bln. August imports grew 18.6pct to 1.6 mln tons, with value up 2.9pct at USD 1.1 bln.
Meanwhile, crude steel production edged up 0.2pct to 24.9 mln tons in Jan-Aug, including a 7.9pct YoY rise in August to 3.4 mln tons. Finished steel consumption rose 3.2pct to 25.7 mln tons, with August demand up 12.5pct at 3.5 mln tons.
TCUD highlighted growing import pressure, with Chinese shipments averaging over 500,000 tons per month in recent months. Imports from Russia rose 71pct in Jan-Aug, while Indian inflows surged 83pct, and by 577pct in the last three months alone. The association noted that nearly 60pct of total imports and over three-quarters of semi-finished imports came under the Inward Processing Regime (IR), which allows duty-free imports tied to export commitments.
With the sector operating at just 62.7pct of its 60 mln-ton capacity, TCUD warned that rising imports are disrupting domestic producers. It welcomed the Ministry of Trade’s recent circular requiring 25pct of certain export inputs to be sourced domestically, calling it a positive step to curb imbalances and strengthen value-added production.
TCUD added that further measures, similar to those in the US and EU, will be vital to protect capacity, reduce trade deficits, and support Turkey’s foreign trade balance.
