Turkey’s crude steel production in 2021 exceeded 40 million tonnes, an increase of 12.7% compared to the previous year and an all-time high, Kallanish notes.

Production at electric arc furnace mills increased by 16.6% to 28.9mt and at integrated plants by 3.9% to 11.5mt.

Output began an upward trend in June 2020 as markets started to recover after the initial Covid-19 pandemic shock. This continued through the first half of 2021.

The high-rate increases in Turkey's steel production in April and May 2021 were largely due to the base effect caused by the production losses experienced during the pandemic period in 2020. As of H2 2021, production, consumption and foreign trade balances were gradually stabilised.

“In 2021, some uncertainties occurred in the market due to protectionism measures in world trade, shortage of raw materials and energy, and production restrictions in line with the target of reducing carbon emissions. Despite all these negative conditions, our steel industry left behind a very successful year,” says Veysel Yayan, general secretary of the Turkish Steel Producers’ Association (TCUD).

“If production losses due to natural gas and electricity cuts can be resolved, we foresee that the buoyancy in the sector will continue in the coming year, with the commissioning of new capacities,” Yayan adds.