Turkish steel imports and exports fell sharply in 2014

The latest statistics released by the Association of Turkish Steel Producers (TCUD) show that steel imports into the country fell by almost 7 percent throughout 2014 compared to the previous year. Imports from Asia rose, but were not sufficient to offset the sharp decline in imports from the EU and CIS region.

Turkey's billet imports during the year totaled 2.96 million tonnes, down 5.5 percent year on year. Slab imports fell 21 percent to 1.82 million tonnes. Imports of flat products decreased by 5.4 rolled products to 6.73 million tons, while imports of long products decreased slightly, by 1.2 percent, to 1.45 million tons. The import of pipes to the country amounted to 431 thousand tons, which is 2.5 percent lower compared to 2013.

Steel imports from the Asian region increased significantly last year. The growth was 38.5 percent to 2 million tons over the previous year. However, purchases from the EU region fell 7.8 percent to 5.56 million tonnes. Imports from the CIS countries decreased by 18.6 percent to 5.36 million tons.

Total Turkish steel exports also fell over the past year. The drop in exports is due to slower-than-expected growth in the Chinese economy and geopolitical risks in the Middle East region, especially in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Steel exports fell 5 percent during the year to 18 million tonnes. The decline in exports to the Middle East market was more dramatic. Turkish steel imports to the region fell 20 percent to 6.08 million tonnes.

On the other hand, Turkish steel exports to the UK rose 24 percent to 598,000 tonnes in 2014. Sales in Germany also rose 28.5 percent to 326 thousand tonnes. In addition, exports to Romania totaled 455,000 tonnes, up 14 percent year on year.