Turkish Steel Exporters' Association (CIB) chairman Namık Ekinci has said that in 2014 Turkey continued to witness the difficulties encountered in 2013. Mr. Ekinci cited political tensions in the Middle East, one of Turkey's main export markets, and antidumping duty and safeguard investigations launched by certain countries as the most important reasons for the decline in Turkey's exports.
"Despite all these negative developments, the Turkish steel industry closed 2014 in line with our targets. In 2015, we expect political and economic stability to be restored both locally and globally. For 2015, Turkey's exports are expected to reach 18 million mt, with an export value of $13.5 billion." added Mr. Ekinci.
According to the data released by the CIB, in 2014 Turkey's steel exports decreased by 4.5 percent year on year to 17.5 million mt, while the value of these exports totaled $13.2 billion, down 4.3 percent, both on year-on-year basis. Meanwhile, in December alone, Turkey's steel exports increased by 10.4 percent year on year to 1.73 million mt, while the value of these exports totaled $1.2 billion, down 0.01 percent, both on year-on-year basis.
In 2014, Turkey's main steel export destination was the Middle East, which received 6.2 million mt, down 19.11 percent year on year. The Middle East was followed by the EU countries, North America and North Africa, which imported 2.8 million mt, 2.7 million mt and 1.8 million mt of Turkish steel products respectively.
On the other hand, during 2014 Turkey's main exported steel product was rebar with total rebar exports amounting to 7.7 million mt. Rebar was followed by steel pipe exports totaling 1.9 million mt, steel profile exports reaching 1.7 million mt, and hot rolled flat steel exports amounting to 1.7 million mt.