In 2014, Turkey's steel imports decreased by 7.1 percent to 13.8 million mt, according to the data released by the Turkish Iron and Steel Producers' Association (TCUD). In the given period, Turkey's billet and bloom imports totaled 2.96 million mt, down 5.5 percent, its slab imports decreased by 20.9 percent to 1.82 million mt, while its flat steel imports totaled 6.73 million mt, down 5.4 percent, long steel imports amounted to 1.45 million mt, down 1.2 percent, and steel pipe imports decreased by 2.5 percent to 431,000 mt, all on year-on-year basis.
On the other hand, in December alone, Turkey's steel imports increased by 0.4 percent year on year to 1.43 million mt. In the given month, Turkey's billet and bloom imports decreased by 8.9 percent to 356,000 mt, while its slab imports declined by 13.5 percent to 242,000 mt, both year on year. Also in December last year, Turkey's flat steel imports increased by 21 percent to 670,000 mt, its long steel imports moved down by 26.9 percent to 102,000 mt, and steel pipe imports totaled 37,000 mt, down 0.1 percent, all on year-on-year basis.