According to the April 2025 data from the Foreign Trade Index of the Construction Materials Industry, released by Türkiye İMSAD, exports of construction materials decreased by $187 million compared to March, totaling $2.41 billion.
In April 2025, the export volume also dropped by 145,000 tons compared to the previous month, falling to 4.10 million tons. However, the export volume was 16% higher than in April of the previous year.
The report noted:
“In April 2025, the effects of additional tightening measures within the country also began to be seen. Additionally, while the depreciation of the Turkish lira continued at a slower pace, financial tightening posed challenges for exporters.”
According to the report, while the construction materials industry’s foreign trade indices rose significantly compared to April 2024, they showed limited decline versus March 2025. Despite the improved performance in the fourth month of the year, uncertainty over tariff expectations caused instability in the markets. After a sharp decline, commodity prices began to recover.
Export Value Increased 16.2% Year-on-Year
In light of all these developments, exports in April 2025 fell by $187 million compared to March, reaching $2.41 billion. In value terms, this marked a 16.2% increase compared to the same month of the previous year.
Export Volume Up 16% Year-on-Year
The report noted that export volume in April 2025 decreased by 145,000 tons compared to March, totaling 4.10 million tons. This represented a 16% increase over the same month last year.
It was also stated that the average annual export unit price in April 2025 remained unchanged compared to April 2024. The export unit price fell below March’s level, coming in at $0.59/kg.
Imports Exceed $1 Billion for Second Consecutive Month
In April 2025, construction material imports were recorded at $1.038 billion, a 12.6% increase over April of the previous year. The report also highlighted that imports surpassed the $1 billion threshold for the second consecutive month.
In terms of volume, imports stood at 363,449 tons. The average import unit price in April 2025 rose slightly from the previous month to $2.86/kg.
Annual Exports Reached $29.58 Billion
According to Türkiye İMSAD, as of April 2025, the annualized (last 12 months) construction materials exports reached $29.58 billion. In the first four months of 2025, annual export value increased by 2.0%, while export volume rose by 2.2% to 46.98 million tons. The annualized average export unit price stood at $0.63/kg.
The report stated that export markets remained stagnant during the first four months of 2025, and that protectionist trade concerns, geopolitical developments, and the appreciation of the Turkish lira limited exports. Nevertheless, it emphasized that export growth continued.
Exports Increased in Seven Sub-Categories
According to the report, most sub-sectors of the construction materials industry showed positive performance in both volume and value in April 2025 compared to April 2024. However, market stagnation and tariff uncertainty impacted sub-sectors differently. Compared to March 2025, both volume and value saw a decline in several sub-sectors.
Index data revealed that average export unit prices rose in six out of eight sub-categories in April 2025 compared to April 2024, while two sub-categories saw a decrease.
Türkiye İMSAD also provided percentage changes in sub-categories:
- The average unit export price for mineral, stone, and earth products declined by 6.9%.
- For iron and steel products, prices increased by 0.9%.
- Metal-based products saw a 10.7% increase.
- Chemical-based products rose 10.7% in unit price.
- Electrical materials and equipment increased by 12.8%.
In terms of export volume, six out of eight sub-categories saw increases compared to April 2024, while two recorded decreases:
- Iron and steel products exports rose 8.4%.
- Wood and timber products fell 5.9%.
- Insulation materials declined by 12.9%.
- Mineral, stone, and earth products jumped 20.6% in volume.
When it comes to export value, seven of eight sub-categories exceeded April 2024 levels. Only one fell short:
- Iron and steel products rose 9.4%.
- Mineral, stone, and earth products climbed 12.2%.
- Electrical materials and equipment surged 36.7%.
- Metal-based products rose 19.8%.
- Chemical-based products increased 17.7%.
- Insulation materials dropped 1.5% in value.
Source: Bloomberght/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök