The recent price increases observed in Türkiye’s long steel market point to a cost-driven upward breakout despite limited demand on the surface. The renewed rise in domestic billet and rebar prices is directly linked to expectations of increasing energy and logistics costs, signs of recovery in local demand in China, and iron ore prices exceeding $110/mt CFR.
The fact that major producers have raised billet prices to $505–510/t EXW and that transactions have settled in the $505–520/mt range indicates that the market floor has moved upward. In particular, Kardemir’s sale of approximately 80,000 mt at $505–515/mt EXW depending on quality shows that producers are determined to test current price levels. Offers concentrated in the $510–520/mt range in the Iskenderun and Izmir regions also support this trend.
However, the demand side remains weak. The stagnation in domestic consumption and the limited demand for finished products indicate that price increases are not based on a healthy demand foundation. At this point, it is clear that the main driver of the market is cost rather than demand. Indeed, expectations of a $10–15/t increase in imported scrap prices are seen as a signal of sharper rises in billet and long product prices in the coming period.
In the import market, buyer behavior remains cautious. Limited interest in Asian-origin materials, along with high freight costs and concerns over shipment delays, has led buyers to turn to Black Sea suppliers. This suggests that in the short term, Türkiye prioritizes supply security even if it means purchasing at higher prices from nearby regions.
A similar picture is observed in the long products segment. Rebar export offers increased by $10–15/mt on a weekly basis to $565–580/mt FOB, while wire rod prices rose by $10/mt to $570–590/mt FOB. In the domestic market, prices continue to vary by region: levels of $570/ton in Izmir and around $585/ton ex-works in the Marmara region are observed, while some producers in Iskenderun have raised their prices to $585/ton.
Despite these price increases, sales volumes remain below expectations. A significant number of producers have shifted their focus to exports, particularly to non-EU markets, due to weak domestic demand. In regions such as North Africa, where competition is intense, aggressive pricing strategies stand out, while Turkish producers are seen to face shrinking margins due to cost pressures.
Overall, it can be said that Türkiye’s long steel market is experiencing a “cost-driven rally without demand support.” If the expected increase in scrap prices materializes in the short term, the current upward trend may gain momentum. However, without a clear recovery on the demand side, the sustainability of these increases remains questionable. Therefore, the market will closely monitor two critical factors in the coming days: the trend in imported scrap prices and whether there will be a real recovery in finished product demand.
The spot rebar prices by region as assessed by www.steelradar.com on March 18, 2026;
Istanbul rebar prices 30,600 TL / $577
Izmir rebar prices 30,100 TL / $568
Karabük rebar prices 30,500 TL / $575
Payas rebar prices 30,500 TL / $575
1USD = 44,2 TL
©SteelRadar
Comments
No comment yet.