Turkey’s HRC imports down 2.5 percent in Jan-Mar 2026, Malaysia becomes second-largest supplier

In March this year, Turkey’s hot rolled coil (HRC) imports amounted to 309,511 metric tons, down by 16.3 percent compared to February and up by 76.1 percent year on year, according to the preliminary data provided by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK). Meanwhile, the value of these imports totaled $165.79 million, decreasing by 18.4 percent compared to the previous month and increasing by 56.4 percent year on year.

In the first three months of this year, Turkey's HRC imports amounted to 806,512 mt, down 2.5 percent, while the value of these imports fell by 6.6 percent to $439.32 million, both year on year.

Turkey’s hot rolled coil imports - last 12 months

In the given period, Turkey’s largest HRC import source was Russia, which supplied 180,395 mt, up 0.6 percent year on year. Russia was followed by Malaysia with 167,288 mt and China with 121,656 mt, down 60.0 percent compared to the same period last year.

In the January-March period last year, Turkey’s largest hot rolled coil import sources were mainly China, Russia, South Korea, Japan and Egypt, while a notable change was seen in the supply distribution in the same period of 2026. Russia rose to first place with a slight year-on-year increase of 0.6 percent to 180,395 mt, while Malaysia, which was not on the list last year, became the second-largest supplier with 167,288 mt. Meanwhile, imports from China, last year’s largest source, fell by 60 percent to 121,656 mt. Imports from South Korea declined by 35.1 percent, while the decrease in imports from Japan was more limited. Although imports from Egypt and Taiwan increased, the overall picture indicates that Turkey has partially shifted away from its traditional Asian hot rolled coil suppliers, while Malaysia’s rapid rise has reshaped the country’s supply structure.

Turkey’s top 10 HRC import sources in the January-March period:

Shares in Turkey’s hot rolled coil imports - January-March 2026