Turkey's steel product exports to the European Union in the first eight months of 2010 declined by 18.37 percent year on year to 1.37 million metric tons, according to the data provided by the Istanbul Mineral and Metals Exporters' Association (IMMIB). Meanwhile, the region continued to be one of Turkey's major export markets, accounting for 12.15 percent of its total steel product exports. However, in January-August 2009, this figure was recorded at 13.22 percent.
In the January-August period of this year, Turkey's steel product exports to Italy amounted to 244,215 metric tons, down 32.32 percent year on year, followed by Romania, with 208,790 metric tons, dropping by 30.07 percent.
In the given period, Turkey's steel product exports to Germany, totaled 113,190 metric tons, rising by 3.71 percent, exports to the UK came to 190,520 metric tons, climbing by 73.51 percent, exports to Spain stood at 143,186 metric tons, up 7.45 percent and exports to the Netherlands declined by 23.75 percent to 93,772 metric tons, all compared to the corresponding period of 2009.
In the January-August period, steel pipes constituted Turkey's most exported product to the EU, accounting for 29.85 percent of the country's total steel product exports to the region. Steel pipe exports to the EU totaled 407,730 metric tons in the first eight months of 2010, rising by 14.36 percent year on year. Meanwhile, flat steel product exports, including hot rolled, cold rolled, coated and other products, to the region amounted to 326,020 metric tons, regressing by 46.07 percent compared to the year-ago period, and accounting for 23.87 percent of Turkey's total steel exports to the EU.
In the given period, Turkey's steel bar exports, including rebar, to the EU came to 95,150 metric tons, down 57.14 percent, its merchant bar exports amounted to 81,215 metric tons, down 34.03 percent, both compared to January-August 2009.