In the opening panel of the event organized by METEM, Mehmet Çakmur, General Manager of Kocaer Çelik, made striking statements drawing attention to the contraction in global trade, Türkiye's export strategy and the structural problems facing the sector.
The panel was moderated by Çetin Kaya, General Manager and Board Member of Koç Metalurji, while the participants included Uğur Dalbeler, General Manager of Çolakoğlu Metalurji, Salih Cem Oral, General Manager of İsdemir and representatives of the executive board of Borçelik.
“Production is increasing but trade is not growing”
Mehmet Çakmur stated that global steel production, which was 800 million tons in 2000, has increased to 1.8 billion tons by 2024, but the trade volume has not increased at the same rate. "While production has increased about 2.3 times, world trade is still around 450 million tons. In other words, production is growing, but trade is not growing at the same rate," Çakmur stated, emphasizing that Türkiye's export and domestic market targets overlap with many countries.
“Our export markets are becoming our competitors”
Reminding that Türkiye aims for a 50% export - 50% domestic market balance in steel, Çakmur stated, "But now the export markets we target are gradually becoming our competitors. We are losing our share in these markets." Pointing out that world trade has become increasingly protectionist, especially after 2016, Çakmur added, "We have moved away from fair competition. The European Union reduced our quota of 60 thousand tons to 10 thousand tons overnight. There are no rules and regulations anymore."
“We need to move to a planned economy”
Çakmur argued that Türkiye needs to move to a planned economy model in order to advance in the steel sector and drew attention to the lack of data in the sector. "We don't keep records of what is produced, what is sold, where it is sent. Everyone is trying to invest on their own. Our resources are limited, access to finance is difficult. This is also challenging us," he stated.
“We need to move towards value-added products”
Çakmur stated that Türkiye needs to move beyond standardized products in order to maintain its competitive edge in export markets. "We need to produce more value-added products to compete with giants like China in the Middle East. As a sector, we need to work more efficiently and act together," Çakmur concluded.
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