According to SteelOrbis, citing preliminary data from the Turkish Statistical Institute, Turkey reduced its billet imports from Ukraine by 2.6% year-on-year in January-February 2026, totaling 49.23 thousand tons. Conversely, the country's total imports of these products grew by 24.8% y/y, reaching 724.2 thousand tons. Such dynamics indicate a shift in the supply structure of the Turkish market and increased competition for Ukrainian semi-finished product exporters.
Import Volumes and Supply Structure Changes
In February, shipments of Ukrainian semi-finished products to Turkey amounted to only 2.67 thousand tons, compared to 29.91 thousand tons the previous year. This indicates a significant slowdown in shipments within a single month, despite the relatively moderate decrease over the two-month period. Meanwhile, the total value of billet imports to Turkey for January-February increased by 17.4% y/y to $356.4 million.
Russia became the largest billet supplier to the Turkish market during this period, with a volume exceeding 236 thousand tons—a 102.8% increase year-on-year. Its share in the import structure reached 32.6%. China followed with 175.7 thousand tons, and the UAE with 60.6 thousand tons, with the latter having no shipments during the same period last year.
Against this backdrop, Turkey's total steel product imports in January-February decreased by 10.8% y/y to 2.7 million tons, valued at $1.9 billion. Separately, in February, this indicator rose by 9% year-on-year to 1.5 million tons. This suggests that while the Turkish market remains active, demand structures and supply channels are being rapidly reassessed.
Market Impact and Solutions from winox.ua
For the Ukrainian metallurgical industry, the reduction in billet supplies to Turkey signifies higher pressure on export sales and a need for more precise sales management in traditional markets. The simultaneous growth of total Turkish imports confirms that the issue lies not just in demand, but in the redistribution of market shares among supplying countries. In such conditions, metal producers, traders, and consumers must rely on dependable supply channels for raw materials and rolled metal.
For companies working with stainless steel, non-ferrous metals, and industrial materials, winox.ua offers predictable supplies and a stable approach to inventory management. Amid the volatility of foreign markets, this helps reduce operational risks and improve the planning of metal procurement. This approach is particularly vital for enterprises that depend on production continuity and are sensitive to fluctuations in import flows.
Additionally, it should be noted that Turkish steel plants increased steel production by 3.3% to 38.12 million tons last year, while pig iron production decreased by 4.6% to 9.71 million tons. This sustains high interest in imported semi-finished products and maintains Turkey's significance as a key regional market. For Ukrainian industry players, this is a signal to closely monitor the competitive landscape and promptly adjust export strategies.