In 2013, Turkey's steel exports totaled 18.4 million mt, down 7.3 percent year on year, while the value of these exports decreased by 10.6 percent year on year to $13.9 billion, according to the data released by Turkish Steel Exporters' Association (CIB). Meanwhile, in December last year Turkey's steel exports declined by 3.9 percent to 1.5 million mt and the value of these exports decreased by 3.5 percent to $1.2 billion, both year on year.
Last year, Turkey's main steel export destination was the Middle East which received 7.4 million metric tons, followed by Africa with 3.3 million metric tons, and the US and the EU, both with 2.8 million metric tons. The countries which recorded increases in steel imports from Turkey in the given year were Iraq, Portugal, Italy, Yemen and Thailand, while Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Canada and Singapore recorded decreases, all compared to the previous year.
In 2013, Turkey's main exported steel products were bars with a total of 8.5 million mt, pipes with 1.8 million mt, sections with 1.6 million mt, billet with 1.5 million mt and hot rolled flat steel products with 1.4 million mt.
Turkish Steel Exporters' Association chairman Namk Ekinci commented, "With the total steel exports in 2013, we have maintained seventh place in steel export rankings and kept our leading position in rebar exports among other exporter countries. However, 2013 was a tough year for the Turkish steel sector. Turbulence in the global financial markets, the long-standing economic crisis in EU countries, the Arab Spring in our export countries, the EU and US embargo on Iran, and unjust antidumping cases and protection measure investigations against Turkey all had negative effects on our steel sector. Despite this, we achieved our export goals by the end of the year. Our biggest wish for 2014 is to overcome these negative effects on our sector and to see stability and confidence in the global political situation and economy, including Turkey. Otherwise, our 2014 export volume will not be higher than the 2013 target. For now, Turkey's targeted steel export volume for 2014 is 18.5 million mt."
