In the first quarter of 2025, Turkey reduced its iron and steel product imports from Ukraine by 64.3%, totaling 150.54 thousand tons. This decline, compared to the same period in 2024, results from shifts in supply chain dynamics. Turkey’s reduced imports include various key products, such as iron ore, pig iron, ferroalloys, semi-finished products, scrap, and rolled steel.
Iron Ore and Semi-Finished Products Drive Import Changes
Iron ore and semi-finished products drove the majority of the import changes. Iron ore imports dropped significantly by 79.3%, falling to 80.29 thousand tons. In contrast, Turkey imported 97.3% more semi-finished products, reaching 60.52 thousand tons. Rolled metal and ferroalloys made up smaller portions of imports. For example, rolled steel imports increased 2.5 times, totaling 8.23 thousand tons. Ferroalloy imports also grew to 1.5 thousand tons—an improvement from no imports in Q1 2024.
Monthly Import Trends Highlighted
In March 2025, Turkey primarily imported semi-finished products from Ukraine, totaling just 9.99 thousand tons. Turkey completed all iron ore and ferroalloy imports in February. The country also imported rolled steel mainly in January and February, totaling 3.21 thousand tons and 5 thousand tons, respectively. All rolled steel was hot-rolled and cold-rolled flat products, widely used in manufacturing.
Turkey-Ukraine Steel Trade Continues Despite War
Turkey and Ukraine have long been strategic steel trade partners. Despite the ongoing war, trade between the two nations continued. Ukraine has shifted from being a steel exporter to a net importer from Turkey. With Turkey’s well-developed steel industry, Ukraine will likely continue relying on Turkish steel products for post-war recovery. Turkey’s capability to supply high-quality steel products establishes it as a key player in this trade relationship.
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