According to the statistics released by the Istanbul Mineral and Metals Exporters' Association (IMMIB), in June 2009 Turkey's total steel pipe exports amounted to 140,783 metric tons, decreasing by 22.56 percent year on year. Meanwhile, the revenue generated by these exports totaled $120 million, down 42.99 percent compared to the same month of the previous year.
In June, the amount of steel pipes exported from Turkey to the Middle East countries reached 24,330 mt, up 73.63 percent year on year, totaling a value of $15.7 million, decreasing by 11.95 percent compared to June 2008. In particular, steel pipe exports to Iraq rose by 156.6 percent year on year, from 5,782 metric tons to 14,837 metric tons.
Meanwhile, in the period in question Turkey's steel pipe exports to North Africa totaled 33,925 metric tons, declining by 9.43 percent year on year, amounting to a value of $33.523 million, down 28.62 percent compared to value in the same month of the previous year.
Turkish steel pipe exports to Europe amounted to 51,260 metric tons in June, decreasing by 49.74 percent year on year, totaling a value of $38.798 million, down 64.66 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
Increasing demand has caused HRC prices to climb, resulting in increased raw material costs for Turkish pipe producers. Although the pipe producers are forced to increase their prices, sluggish market demand makes it difficult for these prices to gain acceptance.
