Turkiye: Crude steel production rises 6% y-o-y in Jan-Apr'26

• Steel export-to-import ratio declines, pointing to weakening trade balance
  
  
• TCUD seeks curbs on Far Eastern, Russian imports, measures to boost EU exports
  
  

SteelOrbis: Crude steel production by Turkiye, the world's seventh-largest steelmaking country, increased by 6.3% y-o-y to 13.04 million tonnes (mnt) in January-April 2026, according to a statement released by the Turkish Steel Producers' Association (TCUD).

Turkish steel industry performance

Turkish steel export-import trade breakdown (Jan-Apr'26)

Turkiye's steel export-to-import ratio declined to 78.16% in January-April 2026 from 83.44% a year earlier, indicating that import growth outpaced exports and highlighting a weakening steel trade balance.

According to TCUD, imports accounted for 43.7% of total steel product consumption in the first four months of this year, while imports under the Inward Processing Regime represented 60% of total imports. Considering that the Turkish steel sector was able to utilise only 62.9 percent of its 61.9 mnt production capacity, the association argued that measures aimed at directing consumption toward domestic supply, similar to those implemented in the US and the EU, should continue to be applied in the coming period. It also emphasised that, with the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism officially entering into force and the transition period coming to an end, it is important for the Turkish steel sector to strengthen its sustainability performance, not only in terms of production but also in terms of products and production methods.

In light of these developments, TCUD stated that in 2026 there is a need to introduce volume restrictions on imports, particularly from Far Eastern countries and Russia, while intensifying efforts to increase Turkiye's share of exports to the EU. The association also stressed the importance of implementing comprehensive measures to enhance the competitiveness of Turkish steel, especially in the European market.

Note: This article has been written in accordance with a content exchange agreement between SteelOrbis and BigMint.