In the first half of this year, Turkey's steel exports to the Middle East rose by 26.94 percent in value as compared to the corresponding period of 2009 and totaled $2.31 billion, according to the preliminary statistics provided by the Istanbul Mineral and Metals Exporters' Association (IMMIB).
In the first six months of 2010, Turkey's steel exports to the UAE came to $592.56 million, increasing by 32.54 percent, while Turkey's steel exports to Saudi Arabia amounted to $501.33 million, climbing by 156.75 percent, both compared to the corresponding period of 2009. In the given period, these two countries were followed by Iraq, with steel exports to this country totaling $388.44 million, down 13.81 percent.
Meanwhile, among other destinations, Turkey's steel exports to Israel increased by 43.01 percent in the January-June period of this year, amounting to $187.02 million, while its steel exports to Iran increased by 15.42 percent ($153.31 million) and its steel exports to Yemen declined by 38.6 percent ($110.63 million), all on year-on-year basis.
In the first half of 2010, the share of Turkey's steel exports to the Middle East accounted for 39.51 of the country's total steel exports, up from 32.64 percent in H1 2009.