Turkey’s billet exports reach nearly 2.5 million mt in 2009

According to the preliminary data released by the Istanbul Mineral and Metals Exporters' Association (IMMIB), in December 2009 Turkey's total steel billet exports amounted to 223,614 metric tons, decreasing by 34 percent month on month and up 107.94 percent compared to December 2008. Meanwhile, the revenue generated by these exports totaled $94.63 million, increasing by 109.68 percent compared to the same month of the previous year, but down 36.12 percent over November 2009.

In December, the average export price of Turkish steel billet was $423/mt, down $3.52/mt or 0.84 percent from November levels, and indicating a decrease of $14/mt or 3.21 percent from $437/mt in December 2008.

On the other hand, in 2009 Turkey's steel billet exports increased by 0.4 percent year on year to 2.47 million mt, totaling a value of $1.02 billion, down 49.53 percent compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Thailand, Jordan, Taiwan and Egypt were the major growing markets for Turkish steel billet exports in 2009.

Turkey's top ten steel billet export destinations in 2009: