The Istanbul Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters’ Association (IDDMIB) has published the February 2026 results of the TR-METALENDEKS Turkey Metal Industry Export Index. After starting 2026 with a sharp decline, the metal industry showed a recovery trend in February. While increases were recorded in export volume and value indices, export unit prices, which had reached a historic peak in January, saw a limited decline.
According to February data, part of the losses recorded in January were recovered. The export volume index, which had dropped to the lowest level of the past 22 months in January, rose by 3.5 percent in February to 115.72, while the export value index increased by 2.5 percent to 162.93. The export unit price declined from the record level of $5.32/kg to $5.26/kg. Exports volumes increased by 3.4 percent to 212,394 mt. This picture indicated that, following the sharp contraction seen in the first month of the year, the metal industry entered a phase of rebalancing.
In value terms, metal industry exports increased to $1.12 billion. According to the report, this increase was mainly driven by the rise in export volumes in terms of units and kilograms.
The IDDMIB report emphasized that, due to weak global economic expectations for the 2026-29 period, metal prices may follow a low and flat trend in the coming period.
Çetin Tecdelioğlu: Recovery trend is noteworthy
Evaluating the February data, Çetin Tecdelioğlu, chairman of IDDMIB, stated that the metal industry started 2026 weakly but has entered a recovery trend as of February. He emphasized that the increase in export volume positively reflecting on the value index is significant for the sector, adding that this demonstrates the Turkish metal industry’s ability to respond quickly to global demand fluctuations thanks to its flexible production capacity and market diversification.
Noting that the limited decline in unit prices, which had reached a historic peak in January, points to a more balanced pricing structure, he added that, for sustainable export growth, the sector should focus on strategies that support volume increases. According to Tecdelioğlu, value-added production, new markets and a competitive price balance will be decisive in enabling the sector to close the year on a stronger footing.