Turkish steel industry maintains strong export performance into 2025: executive

Author Fast Webs

* Jan steel exports up by record 44%
* Germany was Turkey’s top steel export destination
* Turkey to focus on value-added steel production

The Turkish steel industry, which accounted for 12.6% of Turkey’s total exports in 2024, is off to a robust start in 2025, Fuat Tosyali, CEO of major Turkish steel producer Tosyali and chairman of the Mediterranean Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters’ Union, or ADMIB, said late Feb. 20.
“Despite the ongoing uncertainties in the global economy, our results so far indicate that 2025 will be a positive year for steel exporters,” Tosyali said in a statement.
According to the latest data, exports of ferrous and non-ferrous metals in January increased by 8% year over year to $68 million, while steel exports rose by a record 44% to $174 million.
Germany was Turkey’s top steel export destination in January, followed by Romania, Italy, Iraq and Yemen. Export increases were recorded in eight of the top 10 markets, ADMIB said, without citing tonnages.
Tosyali emphasized the company’s commitment to growth by adapting to new global trade dynamics. He said the focus will be on ensuring the sustainability of exports through value-added steel production.
“While maintaining our strength in our traditional markets, especially in the European Union, we will accelerate our efforts to gain more space in markets such as the US and Africa,” he said.
Turkish producers are hopeful of regaining their competitive advantage following US President Donald Trump’s decision on Feb. 10 to raise tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 25% “without exceptions or exemptions.”
The US was one of Turkey’s largest steel export destinations before Trump imposed Section 232 tariffs in 2018. Turkey’s steel exports to the US declined notably as a result.
Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, assessed Turkish exported rebar at $562.50/mt FOB Feb. 20, stable day over day.