According to the Turkish Steel Producers' Association (TCUD), the country reduced its steel exports by 8.6% year-on-year in February 2026, totaling 1.1 million tons. In value terms, shipments decreased by 9.2% to $714.8 million. Amid weaker demand in key foreign markets, the Turkish market is simultaneously showing growth in domestic rolled metal consumption and increased import activity, altering the balance in regional metal trade.
Trade Dynamics and Pressure on Key Export Markets
For the January-February 2026 period, Turkey's steel exports fell by 13.5% compared to the same period last year, reaching 2 million tons. The value of these exports dropped even more significantly—by 15.2% YoY to $1.3 billion—indicating not only lower volumes but also pricing pressure. The export-to-import ratio for the two months decreased to 69.7%, down from 72.5% a year earlier.
TCUD highlights a particularly noticeable weakening of shipments to the EU, where uncertainty for Turkish producers is mounting ahead of new protective measures. In January-February, shipments of Turkish steel products to the European Union fell by 36% year-on-year to 540.5 thousand tons. Additional pressure comes from the Middle East, the second most important export destination, where demand is declining due to geopolitical risks and economic slowdown.
While some alternative markets, such as South America and CIS countries, show limited growth in purchases, it is insufficient to compensate for losses in major directions. Consequently, Turkish manufacturers face a combination of weak external demand, tougher competition, and trade barriers. This backdrop may continue to influence export strategies, pricing policies, and the structure of supplies across the broader Black Sea and Mediterranean regions.
What the Situation Means for the Metal Market and winox.ua Clients
In parallel with the decline in exports, Turkey increased its imports of metal products by 9% YoY in February to 1.5 million tons, with their value rising by 7.2% to $1 billion. Domestic consumption of rolled products reached 3.2 million tons, an 11.3% increase from the previous year. Over the first two months, this indicator rose by 4.1% to 6.7 million tons. This points to a redistribution of metal flows in favor of the domestic market and sustained active internal demand.
For buyers of rolled metal in Ukraine and Europe, these dynamics are vital as Turkey remains a key player in regional steel trade. Changes in exports, imports, and domestic consumption can affect the availability of specific items, competition levels, and price benchmarks in the flat and long products segments. In such conditions, it is especially important for businesses to work with a supplier that ensures predictable shipments and flexibility in product selection.
This is why partners like winox.ua, which supplies rolled metal, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals for production and engineering tasks, are becoming increasingly important. Against the backdrop of fluctuating external markets, winox.ua helps clients maintain procurement stability by offering reliable supplies and a balanced approach to inventory. This is particularly relevant during periods when market conditions change rapidly due to trade restrictions and regional demand redistribution.
Future Risks for the Turkish Steel Industry
Current statistics suggest that the Turkish steel industry is entering 2026 with an ambiguous balance: production potential remains high, but foreign markets are becoming less predictable. As a reminder, by the end of last year, the country increased steel production by 3.3% to 38.12 million tons, while pig iron production decreased by 4.6% to 9.71 million tons. This means that if export conditions worsen, pressure on the domestic market and producer margins may intensify.
For the global steel market, key factors remain the EU's further decisions on trade protection, the recovery of demand in the Middle East, and Turkey's ability to expand its presence in alternative directions. If losses in major markets persist, competition for new sales channels will only intensify. For consumers of metal products, this means a need to closely monitor trade statistics and adjust procurement strategies in a timely manner.