Turkey's finished steel exports rise 3.62% in March

7 May 2026: Demand for Turkish finished steel with March shipment strengthened ahead of the new quota period. Overall exports increased by 3.62% to 1.7 million tonnes (Mt), driven by strong sales to European customers. Year-to-date (YTD) figures declined by 7.54% to 3.8 Mt, as EU customers were cautious about imports amid uncertainty over trade measures.

Despite tighter trade regulations in Europe, Romania, Greece, and Bulgaria increased imports in March by 10.01%, 41.37%, and 109.41%, respectively. However, during the first quarter, deliveries to these countries were slower overall. Italian and Spanish buyers reduced imports in March by 8.69% and 17.03%, respectively, following even steeper declines earlier this year.

The United Kingdom, where the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will enter into force only in 2027, more than doubled its purchases of Turkish finished steel in March and during the first quarter of 2026.

In the meantime, Ukrainian customers showed lower interest in Turkish finish steel products this year, although mainly in the flat products segment.