EU’s new steel quotas could result in $3 billion export loss for Turkiye

• Turkish association pegs export loss at 3.5 mnt annually
• Turkiye’s steel exports to the EU were 6 mnt in 2025

SteelOrbis: The European Union’s new steel import regime, which entered into force on 1 July, has raised concerns over potential export losses for the Turkish steel industry. Under the new rules, the EU has reduced its duty-free steel import quotas by approximately 47% and increased the out-of-quota tariff to 50%.

Commenting on the new regime, Uğur Dalbeler, chairman of the Turkish Steel Exporters’ Association, said the measures are expected to have a significant impact on Turkiye’s steel exports to the EU.

$3 billion export revenue loss expected

Dalbeler stated that the EU’s new safeguard measures and the reduction in quota volumes could result in an export loss of approximately 3.5 mnt.

Noting that quota volumes have been cut by nearly half, he said the Turkish steel industry could lose around $3 billion in annual export revenue as a result.

To focus on alternative export markets, Dalbeler stressed that the industry needs to expand into markets outside Europe to offset the expected losses. He underlined the importance of diversifying Turkiye’s steel exports and said increasing commercial activities in alternative markets should become a priority.

He also drew attention to rising steel imports into the domestic market, recalling that Turkiye’s steel imports increased by 13.9% y-o-y to 32.9 mnt in 2025. Dalbeler said measures should be taken to preserve the competitiveness of the domestic steel industry under these conditions.

EUR 2 billion export loss?

Iris Cibre, a financial markets expert, also stated that the new quota system is expected to negatively affect Turkiye’s steel exports to the EU.

According to Cibre, Turkiye’s steel exports to the EU reached 7.5 mnt in 2018 despite the quota system, while exports amounted to 6 mnt with a value of $4.26 billion in 2025.
She stated that the tighter import limits introduced under the new regime could result in an annual steel export loss of approximately EUR 2 billion.

This article is published as part of a content sharing agreement between SteelOrbis & BigMint