Turkey’s slab imports down Jan-May; Vietnam and Libya gain market share

According to preliminary data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute, Turkey imported 370,090 tonnes of slabs in May this year, up 31.8% month-on-month but down 7.3% year-on-year. The import value for the month stood at USD 180.22 million, rising 35.6% from the previous month but falling 9.8% compared to the same period last year.

During the January-May period, Turkey’s slab imports totaled 1.27 million tonnes, marking a 22.3% decrease year-on-year. The total import value reached USD 600.28 million, down 25.3% year-on-year.

In the first five months of 2025*, Russia, Malaysia, Algeria, Vietnam, and India were Turkey’s primary sources of slab imports. While the top three suppliers remained unchanged from the prior-year period, procurement volumes from these major sources weakened significantly. Russia retained its position as the largest supplier with 698,059 tonnes, despite a 23.7% year-on-year decline. Imports from Malaysia dropped 50% to 204,344 tonnes, while those from Algeria fell 23.3% to 169,224 tonnes. In contrast, imports from Vietnam surged 99.9% to 100,450 tonnes. Libya, which had no recorded imports during the same period last year, entered the list with 65,242 tonnes. The absence of imports from India this year is also noteworthy. Overall, the 22.3% year-on-year decline in Turkey’s total slab imports was primarily driven by reduced purchases from major suppliers, with increases from alternative sources such as Vietnam and Libya remaining insufficient to offset the downturn.