ANKARA — Türkiye’s crude steel production increased by 3.4% year-on-year in February 2026, reaching approximately 3 million tons, according to data released by the Türkiye Çelik Üreticileri Derneği.
The growth reflects a continued recovery in the country’s steel sector, with total production in the January–February period rising by 4.7% compared to the same period last year, reaching around 6.4 million tons.
Domestic Demand Strengthens
Final product consumption in Türkiye also showed strong momentum. In February, consumption increased by 11.3% year-on-year to 3.2 million tons, while the cumulative figure for the first two months rose by 4.1% to 6.7 million tons.
Mixed Foreign Trade Performance
Despite the rise in production, foreign trade indicators presented a mixed outlook:
- Exports increased by 8.6% in volume to 1.1 million tons, but declined by 9.2% in value to $714.8 million
- Imports rose by 9% in volume to 1.5 million tons and 7.2% in value to $1 billion
For the January–February period, exports declined both in volume and value, while imports also showed an overall decrease compared to the same period last year.
Geopolitical Risks Weigh on Trade
Officials highlighted that geopolitical tensions and weakening demand in key export markets are negatively affecting Türkiye’s steel trade.
Exports to the European Union showed a noticeable slowdown, while shipments to the Middle East declined significantly due to regional instability and economic challenges.
Global Context
While Türkiye recorded growth, global crude steel production declined in the same period, largely due to reduced output in major producers such as China.
In summary, Türkiye’s steel industry demonstrated resilience in February with rising production and domestic demand, although external risks and weakening export markets continue to pose challenges for the sector.
Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök