According to a statement released by the Turkish Steel Producers’ Association (TCUD), in January this year crude steel production increased by 5.8 percent year on year to 3.39 million mt in Turkey, the world’s seventh largest steelmaking country. In January, Turkey’s billet and slab production amounted to 2.07 million mt and 1.32 million mt, up 4.4 percent and 8.1 percent year on year, respectively.
In the given month, finished steel consumption in Turkey fell by 1.7 percent year on year to 3.53 million mt.
In January, Turkey’s steel exports decreased by 18.4 percent to 911,820 mt, while the value of these exports went down by 21.2 percent to $600.15 million, year on year. Flat and long product exports in January amounted to 315,922 mt and 507,344 mt, respectively, with decreases of 15.5 percent and 25.6 percent year on year, respectively, while semi-finished product exports amounted to 88,553 mt, up 44.9 percent.
In January, Turkey’s steel imports decreased by 26.1 percent to 1.28 million mt, while the value of these imports moved down by 26.5 percent to $879.43 million, both year on year. Flat and long product imports in January 2026 amounted to 538,579 mt and 128,167 mt, respectively, down 40.2 percent and up 30.2 percent year on year, while semi-finished product imports amounted to 610,855 mt.
In January 2026, Turkey’s steel export to import ratio increased to 68.2 percent, from 63.6 percent recorded in January 2025.
The Turkish Steel Producers’ Association stated that, while China’s steel production declined by 13.9 percent in January, India increased its output by 10.5 percent, highlighting the continued growth momentum of the Indian steel industry.
According to the TCUD, the free trade agreement between the EU and India represents a broader strategic partnership that goes beyond a conventional trade deal, incorporating mechanisms related to decarbonization, demand design and investment guidance, with steel positioned at the center of the framework. The TCUD emphasized that Turkey cannot automatically benefit from FTAs signed by the EU with third countries, which creates a structural disadvantage for Turkish exporters in the EU market compared to countries such as India.
The association also noted that India has already reached its previous 2030 steel capacity target of 200 million mt, while raising its 2030 goal to 300 million mt and increasing its 2047 target from 350 million mt to 500 million mt. Considering these developments and the EU-MERCOSUR FTA, the TCUD underlined that bilateral trade agreements are becoming increasingly important in global trade, adding that the EU-Turkey Customs Union should be updated under fair conditions and that Turkey should be excluded from quota restrictions.
Turkey's crude steel production - January 2026
