- Indonesia recorded strongest supplier growth during H1
- Tighter quotas could benefit Turkish exporters
Turkiye’s stainless steel flat imports remained largely stable at 334,330 t in H1CY’26, compared with 335,460 t in the corresponding period last year. On a monthly basis, imports increased around 6% to 60,000 t in June, from approximately 56,000 t in May, indicating a modest improvement in import activity.
China remains leading supplier
China remained Turkiye’s largest stainless steel flat supplier in H1CY’26, although shipments declined 19% y-o-y to 98,000 t, from 121,000 t in H1CY’25. On a monthly basis, Chinese shipments recovered, rising to around 18,000 t in June from 15,000 t in May.
Indonesia gains market share
Indonesia recorded the strongest growth among major suppliers, with shipments rising 48% y-o-y to 93,000 t in H1CY’26, compared with 63,000 t a year earlier. However, June shipments declined 28% m-o-m to 13,000 t, from 19,000 t in May. Despite the monthly decline, Indonesia’s strong y-o-y growth highlights its increasing presence in Turkiye’s stainless steel market.
South Korean imports decline
South Korean stainless steel flat shipments fell 18% y-o-y to 59,000 t in H1CY’26, from 72,000 t in the corresponding period last year. However, June imports increased 31% m-o-m to around 11,000 t, from approximately 8,500 t in May.
Meanwhile, Türkiye has imposed definitive anti-dumping duties on certain flat steel imports from China and South Korea following an investigation that found dumping and injury to the domestic industry. The measures will remain in force for five years, while certain products will also require additional producer/exporter and, in some cases, industrial registration certificates at customs.
Stainless steel exports increase
Turkiye’s total stainless steel exports increased 14% m-o-m and 41% y-o-y to 17,100 t in June, taking H1CY’26 exports to 88,400 t, up 8% y-o-y.
During the same period, CR exports increased 2.2% to 63,100 t, while CR exports to the EU declined 3.7% to 40,300 t, indicating relatively weaker demand from the European market despite overall growth in Turkish exports.
EU CR quota tightened
The EU’s new annual CR stainless steel quota has been set at around 69,000 t, down from approximately 84,000 t previously, further limiting access to the European market.
However, the country- and supplier-specific quota structure could provide Türkiye with an opportunity to strengthen its relative position. Converting this opportunity into higher export volumes will depend on effective quota utilisation, a competitive product mix and reliable deliveries.
At the same time, the shift in European stainless steel supply towards the China-Indonesia-Taiwan axis is increasing the importance of supply diversification. Indonesia and China have recorded rapid growth in the HR segment, while CR competition is increasingly focused on product range and supplier positioning.
Outlook
Turkiye’s stainless steel market underwent a notable shift in H1CY’26, with import volumes remaining broadly stable while the supplier mix changed significantly. Indonesia strengthened its position, while shipments from China and South Korea declined on a yearly basis. Meanwhile, Turkish exports continued to grow despite weaker CR shipments to the EU.
Going forward, anti-dumping measures, tighter EU CR quotas and changing Asian supply patterns are likely to remain key factors shaping Türkiye’s stainless steel trade flows.
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