Türkiye holds 2M-tonne export potential in Syria: Steel Exporters’ Association
File photo shows a large coil of steel being lifted by a crane at a port. (Adobe Stock Photo)
The chairman of Türkiye’s Steel Exporters’ Association, Adnan Aslan, stated that the Turkish steel industry has the potential to export up to 2 million metric tons to Syria as post-civil war reconstruction efforts drive demand.
Speaking at a press conference, Aslan noted that producers in Iskenderun have already begun exporting to Syria, though the current volume remains at just 200,000 tons.
“With normalization in the region, we could reach around 750,000 tons in the second half of the year, while the full potential stands at 2 million tons. This presents a significant opportunity, and if everything goes well, it will have a notable impact on our export figures in Syria,” he said.
Aslan also highlighted that in 2024, the top five export destinations for Turkish steel by volume were Romania, Italy, Yemen, Ukraine, and Iraq.
Turkish steel industry expands to Africa and South America
Looking ahead to 2025, Aslan emphasized the sector is also turning its focus toward North Africa, West Africa, and South America.
“One of our biggest advantages in Africa is that local traders struggle to open letters of credit. The banking systems in many countries are not well established, so European and Turkish traders buy directly from local producers and sell on open account terms. China, on the other hand, cannot operate on an open account basis, which limits its influence in the region,” he explained.
Additionally, Aslan indicated that exports to Israel and Palestine could resume after June, while interest in the South American market remains strong.
In the domestic market, high-speed rail projects are among the biggest consumers of steel, and the government’s social housing initiative is also driving demand.
“For 600,000 housing units, 6 million tons of steel are required,” Aslan said.
Türkiye’s steel exports in 2024 rose 21.8% year-over-year in tonnage, reaching 17.7 million tons. In terms of value, exports increased by 8.7% to $16.1 billion.
