Imports of steel products rose by 38.2% over the month amid calls from the industry for the introduction of protective measures
In March 2026, Turkey increased its steel production by 6.4% compared to the same month last year, reaching 3.3 million tons. This is according to data from the Turkish Steel Producers’ Association (TCUD).
In the first quarter of 2026, steel production in the country rose by 5.3% year-on-year, reaching 9.7 million tons.
Domestic consumption of finished steel products in March showed rapid growth—up 20.9% year-on-year, to 3.2 million tons. Overall, for January–March, this figure rose by 8.9% to 9.9 million tons.
Steel exports in March showed moderate growth of 5% year-on-year – to 1.5 million tons, while their value increased by 0.5% to $1 billion. However, overall first-quarter figures remain negative: export volume over the three months fell by 6.8% year-on-year (to 3.5 million tons), and export revenue dropped by 9.4% (to $2.3 billion).
At the same time, imports of metal products in March rose significantly—by 38.2% year-on-year, to 1.6 million tons. For the first quarter, imports rose by 2.6%—to 4.3 million tons, while their value decreased by 1.5%, amounting to $3 billion.
The export-to-import coverage ratio fell to 77.8% in March, down from 84.5% in March 2025, indicating a widening deficit in the steel trade balance.
The TCUD notes that the industry is facing serious pressure due to the influx of cheap imports, particularly from Asian countries. The association is calling on the government to more actively implement anti-dumping measures to support domestic producers.
Other negative factors include rising costs for energy and scrap, as well as increased expenses for logistics and cargo insurance. Although Turkish companies are strengthening their positions in Europe thanks to product quality, new trade restrictions from the EU remain a risk factor for future exports.
As a reminder, in 2025, Turkish steelmakers increased steel production by 3.3% compared to 2024, reaching 38.1 million tons. The country’s pig iron production fell by 4.6% year-on-year last year, to 9.7 million tons.
