According to data obtained by SteelRadar, significant changes are taking place in the flow of iron and steel trade in the Middle East. Iraq imported a total of $463 million worth of steel in the first seven months of 2025. This figure represents a decline of approximately 49.8% compared to the same period in 2024, when imports stood at $923 million.
China remains the leader in imports; imports from China exceeded $305 million in the first seven months of 2025. Turkey followed with $126 million. India ranked third, with $12 million in steel exports to the Iraqi market. Japan and Ukraine followed India with $9 million each. On the other hand, Türkiye has taken the lead in Yemen's steel market by responding to the growing demand for reconstruction. As of July 2025, Türkiye's steel exports to Yemen reached $38.08 million per month. Total exports exceeded $200 million from the end of 2024 to mid-2025. China, once a global export powerhouse, shipped only $11.8 million worth of goods in July, lagging behind due to irregular exports at the beginning of the year.
Other exporters such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and South Korea showed relatively low and inconsistent performance in terms of volume. Meanwhile, Syria's infrastructure has been severely damaged by the civil war and the collapse of the former regime. Thousands of buildings, factories, and production facilities have been destroyed or rendered unusable. Although existing factories are operating at full capacity to support the reconstruction process, domestic production is not meeting the steel demand required for the construction sector, forcing the country to rely on imports.
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