Turkish steel product exports increased 28.4% year on year (YoY) to 1.7 million tonnes in June, with export value growing 29.7% to $1.2 billion, according to data released by the Turkish Steel Producers Association (TCUD).

By destination, June shipments to the Middle East surged 80% YoY to 212,600 tonnes, and exports to South America rocketed 406% YoY to 182,500 tonnes.

For the first six months of 2026, the country's steel exports climbed 2.5% YoY to 7.8 million tonnes, while export value grew 1.3% YoY to $5.3 billion.

For the whole first half, the UK and South America stood out as fast-growing markets: Turkish steel exports to the UK soared 246% YoY to 407,000 tonnes, and shipments to South America climbed 81% YoY to 643,000 tonnes. In contrast, EU-bound deliveries shrank 22% YoY to 2.6 million tonnes.

On the import side, June steel product imports dipped 0.8% YoY to 1.8 million tonnes, while import value rose 3.7% YoY to $1.2 billion. Over January-June, import volume inched up 0.3% YoY to 9.3 million tonnes, yet total import value fell 2.4% YoY to $6.3 billion. As a result, Turkey's export-to-import ratio improved from 80% to 83%.

In June alone, Turkey's crude steel output expanded 14.7% YoY to 3.3 million tonnes, while domestic rolled steel consumption grew 0.4% YoY to 3.1 million tonnes.

Production rose 8.1% YoY to 19.8 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, with consumption advancing 6.6% YoY to 19.9 million tonnes.

Veysel Yayan, secretary-general of TCUD, stated that Turkey remains the world's seventh-largest steel producer, ranking ahead of Germany. Strong demand from the Middle East and South America in June reversed the export downturn seen in the first five months.

Yayan also pointed out that the Turkish steel industry needs long-term financing to upgrade equipment, lift energy efficiency and accelerate low-carbon transformation for sustainable development.