The Istanbul Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters’ Association (IDDMIB) has published the April 2026 results of the TR-METALENDEKS Turkey Metal Industry Export Index. The data revealed that the recovery process that continued in March turned into a sharp and strong upward trend in April. April 2026 is recorded as a historic month for metal industry exports, with export routes shifting toward Turkey due to geopolitical crises, combined with record-breaking unit prices.
In April, the export volume index increased from 118.80 recorded in March to 138.29. Compared to April last year, this indicated an increase of 10.3 percent. According to the index data, export growth became even more evident on a tonnage basis. Metal industry exports, which stood at 218,041 mt in March, rose by 16.4 percent in April to 253,814 mt. According to the report, the main reason behind this increase was the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea due to geopolitical tensions stemming from the US-Israel-Iran conflict.
Unit prices hit record highs
During the given month, simultaneous increases were recorded in the volume, value, and unit price indices, while the export unit price climbed to $5.45/kg, reaching the highest level since the index began to be calculated in 2019.
Double-digit growth in export volumes and record increases in unit prices also had a positive impact on export revenues, leading the value index to break a record. The export value index, which stood at 168.31 in March, increased by 19.8 percent in April to 201.55, reaching the highest level of the past year. In value terms, metal industry exports increased from $1.15 billion in March to $1.38 billion in April.
Çetin Tecdelioğlu: Turkey has become an alternative supply hub
Evaluating the April data, Çetin Tecdelioğlu, chairman of IDDMIB, stated that disruptions in global trade have created new opportunities for the Turkish metal industry. Mr. Tecdelioğlu noted that the increase seen in April represented a historic performance not only in terms of volume but also in value-added exports, adding that the Turkish metal industry has been able to adapt quickly to changes in global supply chains.
He stated that the problems experienced in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea corridor have positioned Turkey as an alternative supply hub, emphasizing that the Turkish metal sector stands out with its fast delivery advantage, strong production infrastructure, and high-quality standards.