Turkey’s HR flat steel exports fall sharply in May

According to the data provided by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), in May this year Turkey's total hot rolled flat steel exports amounted to 85,670 metric tons, decreasing by 39 percent compared to the previous month and down 57.6 percent year on year. Meanwhile, the revenue generated by these exports totaled $59.5 million, falling by 38.3 percent compared to April this year and down 61 percent compared to the same month of the previous year.

Turkey's hot rolled flat steel exports in the first five months of the current year totaled 490,492 mt, decreasing by 43.67 percent compared to the same period of 2011.

HR flat steel exports to Italy, which was the largest hot rolled flat steel export destination of Turkey in 2011 accounting for 44 percent of total Turkish HR flat steel exports, decreased significantly in January-May of the current year compared to the same period of 2011.

On the other hand, in May Turkey's cold rolled flat steel exports stood at 7,869 metric tons, decreasing by 27 percent compared to the previous month and down 40.6 percent year on year. In the first five months of the current year, the country's cold rolled flat steel exports fell 26.2 percent compared to January-May 2011, amounting to 42,533 metric tons.

Turkey's top 10 hot rolled flat steel export destinations in January-May 2012: