According to a report released by the Turkish Iron and Steel Producers' Association, Turkey recorded the biggest percentage steel output increase among the world's top 15 steelmaking countries in January-February this year, with a growth rate of 34.4 percent year on year.
In the first two months of 2011, world crude steel production increased from 219.8 million mt to 243.6 million mt, rising by 10.8 percent year on year. Meanwhile, in the same period, China increased its steel output by 11.9 percent year on year to 114 million mt, maintained its position as the largest steel producing country in the world.
According to the report, the base effect was important in Turkey's rapid growth rate in January-February this year, while the new capacities of Toscelik, Yolbulan Bastug Metalurji and Ozkan Demir Celik commissioned after March 2010 were also significant. It was also remarked that, while the base effect will be less important as of March this year, the commissioning of MMK-Atakas in March will contribute to the growth rate of Turkey's steel output in the future.