According to data obtained by SteelRadar from Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu (TÜİK), Türkiye’s flat steel imports from China and South Korea followed a dynamic trend between 2021 and 2025 in line with fluctuations in global markets. While total imports from the two countries stood at 888,856 tons in 2021, the volume approached 1.6 million tons in 2025 with an increase of nearly 80%.
Türkiye’s flat steel imports from China reached 813,432 tons in 2025, surpassing the relatively low figures recorded in the previous year. The total amount paid to Chinese producers for these purchases was EUR 532,792,287. Imports, which remained at around 587,000 tons in 2024, showed an increase of approximately 38.5% in 2025.
imports from China increase in 2025
The South Korean market also maintained its significant position in Türkiye’s flat steel supply in 2025. Import volume increased from 636,431 tons in 2024 to 781,837 tons in 2025. During this period, the economic value of imports from South Korea reached EUR 567,241,373.
Overall in 2025, the total cost of flat steel imports from both countries for the Türkiye economy reached EUR 1,100,033,660. Data indicated that South Korea remained in the market with higher priced product groups compared to China in terms of unit costs per ton.
Purchases from China reached a periodic record of 813,432 tons in 2023, but decreased to 587,290 tons in 2024 due to global trade restrictions and domestic production balances. Data for 2025 showed that import volume returned to the peak level recorded in 2023. On the cost side, 2022 stood out as an exceptional year; despite a lower import volume compared to 2021, the total payment reached EUR 537,100,000 due to increasing commodity prices.
unit costs highlight South Korea premium
South Korea remained one of Türkiye’s most consistent suppliers during the five year period. Import volume increased from 321,120 tons in 2021 to 711,913 tons in 2023, marking an increase of more than twofold. After a temporary slowdown in 2024, 2025 recorded the highest annual import level in the series with 781,837 tons.
Yearly comparisons showed that the cost per ton of products imported from South Korea remained higher than those from China. In particular, while EUR 611,069,000 was paid for imports from South Korea in 2023, the amount spent on imports from China in 2025 was EUR 532,792,000 despite the higher volume, highlighting the unit price difference between the two suppliers.
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