Turkish mills’ pipe exports to EU rise, exports to US slump

Turkish producers’ pipe exports rose by 10.2% year on year to 1.5 million mt in the first nine months of the year, despite unfavorable market conditions, amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, revenue generated from these exports fell by 1.9% on year to $1.1 billion, the latest data from the financial report of a Turkish pipe producer showed.

The EU region continued to be Turkey’s main pipe export destination in January-September at 818,000 mt, up 12.3% on year, despite quotas and the pandemic. The largest buyers of Turkish pipe in the EU region were Romania, UK, Belgium, Germany and Italy, respectively.

Romania saw a sharp 63.6% on-year rise in Turkish pipe imports in the nine-month period, taking in 358,000 mt, while Iraq became Turkey’s second largest pipe export destination in that period at 160,000 mt, also up 15.1% on year, despite ongoing political uncertainties in the region.

Israel was another main pipe export destination in January-September at 103,000 mt, up 41% on year, while exports to the UK fell by 53.4% on year in that period to 103,000 mt.

Turkish pipe mills’ exports to North America fell by 46.3% on year in the first nine months to 62,000 mt, as exports to the US fell significantly due to the Section 232 tariff.

The US was one of Turkey’s largest pipe customers in previous years, importing around 300,000 mt every year before the tariff was levied in 2018.

— Cenk Can