According to a statement released by the Turkish Iron and Steel Producers' Association (DCUD), in 2012 Turkey's crude steel production rose by 5.2 percent year on year reaching 35.9 million mt. The DCUD said that Turkey's crude steel output maintained its uptrend despite the contraction in export markets, due to Turkey's ability to channel exports to alternative markets. On the other hand, in 2011 Turkey's crude steel production rose by 17 percent year on year to 34.1 million mt.
In 2012, of the total crude steel production in Turkey, steel production using electric arc furnaces (EAF) amounted to 26.6 million mt, with an increase of 5.1 percent, while production via blast furnaces rose by 5.6 percent to 9.3 million mt, both compared to 2011.
In December 2012, Turkey's crude steel output decreased by 4.9 percent year on year to 2.8 million mt, recording a month-on-month decrease of 8.6 percent.
In 2012, Turkey's steel billet production rose 10.9 percent compared to 2011 to 27 million mt, while its slab output declined to 8.8 million mt, falling nine percent year on year. The DCUD noted that the contraction in the flat steel market led some Turkish producers to focus on steel billet production.