Turkish steel exports fell slightly in April

The latest data released by the Turkish Steel Exporters' Union (CIB) suggests that the export of steel products from the country declined slightly in April 2015. Turkish-made steel exports totaled 1.6 million tons in April, down 0.7 percent from April last year. Steel exports generated total revenue of 987 million tonnes during the month, a sharp decline of 17.8 percent year on year.

Turkey's cumulative steel exports in the first four months of the year were 5.8 million tonnes, down 6.9 percent when compared with exports in the corresponding months from January to April last year. Steel export revenues declined significantly during this period, falling 19.8 percent to $ 3.7 billion.

Meanwhile, the latest data for March this year shows that the country's steel imports grew at an even faster pace, rising 37.3 percent over the previous year. Data released by the Turkish Metallurgical Manufacturers Association (TCUD) shows that the country's steel imports totaled 1.58 million tonnes in March this year.

Import of billets increased significantly (by 252.2 percent) compared to the previous year to 260 thousand tons in March. The country's imports rose 7.9 percent year on year to 16,000 tons. Steel slab imports rose 10.6 percent in March this year to 178,000 tons. In addition, imports of flat products to Turkey amounted to 775,000 tons, up 2.8 percent compared to March 2014.