Turkey’s steel exports fell by 9.19% in May

2 July 2026: Turkish finished steel exports recorded a notable drop in May, with overall shipments declining by 9.19% to 1.37 million tonnes (Mt). Year-to-date (YTD) performance showed a more modest decrease of 5.04%, reaching 6.57 Mt.

The United Kingdom has emerged as a key growth market, with Turkish finished steel imports increasing significantly by 100.69% in May. The import surge is predominantly concentrated in welded tubes and pipes, hot-rolled coil (HRC), and mearchant bars and sections likely driven by pre-buying activity ahead of stricter trade measures implemented on 1 July 2026, whilst the CBAM enforcement starts only from 2027.

In contrast, traditional European markets have experienced significant import contractions. Romania, Italy, Ukraine, and Spain recorded declines of 35.68%, 12.03%, 14.43%, and 50.69%, respectively. Ukraine's import contraction is particularly pronounced in HRC and bar products, due to active anti-dumping measures and ongoing investigations against Turkish mills. Meanwhile, EU buyers accelerated purchases ahead of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) last year and reduced restocking activity afterwards. Outside Europe, Yemen secured a substantial volume of rebar—driving a 125.33% jump in May—though its year-to-date total contractually eased by 5%.