According to a statement from the Mediterranean Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals/Steel Exporters’ Association (ADMIB), in February this year the Turkish steel industry’s export value decreased by 38.8 percent to $1.69 billion, while the ferrous and non-ferrous metals industry’s export value declined by 19.2 percent to $1 billion, both year on year and both due to the contraction in global demand and the negative effects of the earthquakes in the country’s southeast region. In the given month, the share of the ferrous and non-ferrous metals industry in Turkey’s total exports was 5.4 percent, while the share of the steel industry was 5.7 percent.
“Increasing energy costs have affected our industry the most since last year. This effect, which reduced our price competitiveness as an energy-intensive industry, subsequently reduced our capacity utilization rates. Support regarding energy prices is critical for us to regain competitiveness,” Fuat Tosyalı, ADMIB chairman, said. Stating that the demand for scrap has increased due to the global green transformation and that it has become very difficult to purchase scrap through imports, Mr. Tosyalı said that capacities and thus exports may increase with energy support and a focus on recycling in the iron and steel industries.
