Turkish Steel Exports to Ukraine Surge 36.1% in January–August 2025

Ukraine Becomes Key Market for Turkish Steel Exports

Turkish steel exports to Ukraine jumped 36.1% year-on-year in the first eight months of 2025, reaching 609,900 tons. According to the Turkish Steel Exporters Association, Ukraine ranked fifth among Turkey’s top export destinations, surpassing several EU and Middle Eastern countries. This growth reflects Ukraine’s rising demand for construction and infrastructure steel amid wartime recovery.

Overall, Turkey’s steel exports rose 9.9% year-on-year during the same period, totaling 12.84 million tons. Romania led with 1.21 million tons, followed by Italy and Spain. Meanwhile, Morocco saw the most explosive growth, with steel imports from Turkey rising 137.7% year-on-year.

Key products driving Turkey’s export growth include rebar and hot-rolled flat steel. Rebar exports rose 16.9% to 2.62 million tons, while hot-rolled products grew 24.8% to 2.61 million tons. Billet exports surged sixfold to 360,600 tons, signaling rising regional demand for semi-finished steel.

Rising Turkish Steel Imports Raise Alarms for Ukrainian Producers

The rise in Turkish steel imports has triggered concern among Ukrainian steelmakers. Turkish rolled steel exports to Ukraine rose 47.9% year-on-year in January–June 2025. Turkey’s share in Ukraine’s total steel imports climbed to 59.5%, up from 49.6% in 2024.

Olexander Kalenkov, president of Ukrmetprom, warns that the influx of cheap Turkish and Chinese steel is putting local producers at risk. Particularly troubling is the surge in imports of long products such as rebar and wire rod—segments in which Ukraine has sufficient production capacity.

Kalenkov argues that these imports benefit from lower energy costs and subsidized Russian billets, giving them an unfair price edge. Without urgent protective measures, Ukraine’s steelmakers risk losing their domestic market—a critical buffer during the ongoing conflict and post-war reconstruction.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

The 36.1% surge in Turkish steel exports to Ukraine underscores shifting regional trade flows and rising post-war construction demand. However, it also highlights growing imbalances in trade fairness. Ukraine’s reliance on cheaper imports, while understandable, risks undermining domestic capacity at a time when industrial resilience is most needed. If left unchecked, this could accelerate deindustrialization. Strategic policy responses, such as import safeguards or support for local producers, may be essential to maintain Ukraine’s industrial core and long-term steel independence.