Turkey Steel Import Statistics – April 2019

Turkey, worlds largest ferrous scrap importer observed an increase in imports of Ferrous Scrap, Semi-Finish, finished flat and Ferro Alloy products in April’19, on the other hand, imports of Coal, Iron Ore, finished long and Graphite Electrode decreased against imports recorded in March’19, the customs data maintained with SteelMint showed.

Ferrous Scrap – Turkey ferrous scrap imports hit 16 months high in April as restocking activities picked up after limited buying observed over the first quarter of 2019. Turkey imported 2,010,964 MT ferrous scrap in April’19, rising considerably by 17% M-o-M against 1,710,328 MT in Mar’19. On yearly premises, imports increased by 6% Y-o-Y as against 1,900,820 MT ferrous scrap in Apr’18.

Notably, Q1 CY’19 had observed very limited buying activity on account of political and economic uncertainty and low finished steel demand along with high global scrap prices. Thereafter steel mills had resumed restocking aggressively observing several cargo bookings at corrected prices in early March for April shipments.

Country-wise – UK climbed up to become the largest supplier occupying a share of 17% in total scrap imports from Turkey in Apr’19, supplying 343,553 MT as against 211,624 MT in Mar’19, witnessing a rise of 62% M-o-M. USA dropped to 2nd position, supplying 316,652 MT with 16% of share, dropping 6% M-o-M. Followed by other prominent suppliers, Netherlands (293,715 MT, up 1% M-o-M), Russia (209,016 MT, up 39% M-o-M) and Belgium (150,012 MT, M-o-M) occupying 15%, 10% and 7% share respectively.

Imported HMS 1&2 80:20 scrap prices dropped towards February end to USD 315-318/MT, CFR from USD 330-332/MT levels earlier, resulting in several bookings at reduced prices. Shortly thereafter, the offers increased slightly and remained in USD 320-325/MT throughout March.

Coal – Turkish coal imports have fallen to its lowest monthly total during April for the CY19. Data provided by customs indicate that the country has imported 2.81 MnT coal in Apr’19 to mark 15% drop on the month from 3.31 MnT in Mar’19. Import volumes were also 2% lower on the year from 2.86 MnT in Apr’18.

Reports have claimed that Turkish coal imports are likely to fall as much as 8% this year amid an increased renewables contribution to the country’s power mix. Besides, the Turkish government is seeking to support its power sector with an increased domestic coal supply. In line, Turkey’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has envisaged to offer 500 coal mines across the country to potential investors in public tenders, which will boost domestic coal availability and minimize imports.

Country-wise – Colombia remained the largest coal supplier to in Apr’19. Country’s exports to Turkey were marked almost unchanged on the month at 1.32 MnT in Apr’19, which was also 6% higher on the year from 1.25 MnT in Apr’18. Russia and US had witnessed hefty fall in coal supplies to Turkey during Apr’19

Iron Ore – Iron ore imports to Turkey in April’19 were recorded at 564,614 MT, down 64% as against 1,561,335 MT in Mar’19. On yearly basis, imports dropped 27% as compared to 773,121 MT in Mar’19.

Country-wise – Brazil stood the largest exporter of iron ore to Turkey in Apr’19 at 334,358  MT, down 49% as against 661,738 MT in Mar’19. Australia stood second largest at 164,140 MT as against being nil a month ago. Turkey imports from Australia picked up for the month amid resumption at Australian export ports, post-cyclone in Mar’19.

Semi-Finished – Turkey imported 426,962 MT semi-finished in April’19, rising 37% M-o-M against 310,829 MT in Mar’19. On yearly premises, imports decreased by 25% Y-o-Y as against 677,326 MT ferrous scrap in Apr’18. Turkey’s billet imports remained strong in Apr’19 due to rising imported scrap offers during Mar-Apr’19.

Country-wise – Russia remained the largest supplier to Turkey with a share of 57% in total semi-finished imports to Turkey in Apr’19, supplying 245,077 MT as against 266,952 MT in Mar’19, witnessing a drop of 53% M-o-M. Followed by other prominent suppliers, Ukraine (45,156 MT, up 43% M-o-M) and Brazil (47,967 MT) with 10% and 11% share respectively.

As per prices maintained with SteelMint, during Mar’19 Billet imports offers in Turkey were sustained and later it declined in Apr’19 by USD 20-25/MT. However, in this duration imported scrap offer grew significantly by around USD 50/MT (during Mar-Apr) as against Feb’19.

Finished Flat –  As per the latest data released, Turkey flat steel imports increase significantly on M-o-M basis and recorded at 753,419 MT in Apr’19 in comparison to 476,889 MT in preceding month. Whereas on yearly premise nation’s flat steel import inched up 1% in Apr’19 as compared to 749,379 MT in corresponding month previous year.

Restocking of flat steel that took place in the month of Feb’19 amid anticipation of a further hike in global prices as lower inventories available among traders can be attributed for spike in Turkey flat steel import volumes in Apr’19.

Country-wise –  Turkey flat steel imports in Apr’19- Turkey majorly imports flat steel from Russia and recorded at 241,329 MT in Apr’19, shot up by 40% in comparison to 172,510 MT in previous month. Following this Turkey also imported flat steel from Ukraine at 4,4409 MT, France 59,040 MT, Netherland 54,702 MT, South Korea 27,125 MT and Romania at 48,472 MT in Apr’19.

Finished Long – Turkey imported 85,774 MT Finished long steel in April’19, declining by 8% M-o-M against 92,839 MT in Mar’19. On yearly premises, imports decreased by 6% Y-o-Y as against 91,004 MT ferrous scrap in Apr’18.

Country-wise – Iran remained the largest supplier to Turkey with a share of 24% in total finished long imports to Turkey in Apr’19, supplying 20,121 MT as against 42,729 MT in Mar’19, witnessing a drop of 53% M-o-M. UK at 2nd position supplied 19,773 MT with 23% of share, increasing by 51% M-o-M. Followed by other prominent suppliers, Spain (13,896 MT, up 36% M-o-M) and Russia (209,016 MT, up 246% M-o-M) with 16% and 14% share respectively.

Ferro Alloy – Turkey imported 28,648 MT Ferro Alloys in April’19, rising 30% M-o-M against 22,076 MT in Mar’19. On yearly premises, imports increasing by 2% Y-o-Y as against 27,981 MT ferrous scrap in Apr’18. Silico Manganese Imports increased by 0.01MnT in Apr’19 and Ferro Manganese imports remained the same as compared to the previous month as well as the previous year.

Country-wise – Ukraine remained the largest supplier to Turkey with a share of 68% in total Ferro Alloy imports to Turkey in Apr’19, supplying MT as against 266,952 MT in Mar’19, witnessing a rise of 89% M-o-M. Norway and Georgia also supplied Ferro Alloy to Turkey in smaller quantities.

Quantity in MT,
Source: SteelMint Statistics