Turkey's steel industry calls for stronger protection
Time:Thu, 07 May 2026 08:23:36 +0800
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In March, Turkey's finished steel consumption rose 20.9% year-on-year to 3.2 million tons, while crude steel production increased 6.4% to 3.3 million tons. First-quarter exports fell 6.8% in volume and 9.4% in value compared to the same period last year.
According to the Turkish Steel Producers Association (TCUD), Middle East tensions are reshaping global supply chains, while rising cost pressures are making Chinese producers more cautious. Turkey has been gaining market share in Europe thanks to its location and quality standards. However, surging scrap and energy prices, along with higher freight and insurance costs, are squeezing margins and hurting competitiveness.
Steel imports surged 38.2% year-on-year in March, and the export-to-import ratio fell to 77.8:100 from 84.5:100, reflecting a widening trade deficit. The TCUD warned that new EU trade restrictions have become a critical issue for the sector. Beyond China, countries like India and Indonesia are also relying on steel to drive growth, while the UK has cut steel import quotas by 60%.
With steel protectionism spreading rapidly across both developed and developing nations, the association called for more proactive steps to shield Turkey's domestic industry from dumping. It stressed that Turkey must seize the opportunities from shifting geopolitics while strengthening support for local producers.
