The Turkish steel industry is well-positioned to adapt to the European Union's new steel import regime that came into force on July 1, 2026, according to Uğur Dalbeler, chairman of the board of the Turkish Steel Exporters' Association (ÇİB). The EU's revised import system has introduced significant restrictions on duty-free steel imports. The annual duty-free quota has been reduced by approximately 47 percent to 18.3 million mt, while out-of-quota tariffs have been doubled from 25 percent to 50 percent.
These measures have created increased trade uncertainty across the European steel market. Early implementation data shows that European buyers have responded by shifting toward shorter-term purchasing orders, postponing certain purchase decisions, and reassessing their shipment schedules. According to Dalbeler, the primary challenge facing Turkish steel exporters is not a lack of competitiveness but rather the administrative barriers to market access created by the new regime.
Turkey ranks among Europe's strongest and most reliable steel suppliers in terms of product quality, supply reliability, production flexibility, and sustainability standards. However, if current quota levels persist, Turkish steel exports to the EU face the prospect of declining by approximately 3.5 million mt annually, resulting in a revenue loss of $3 billion. The Turkish Steel Exporters' Association is monitoring market developments on a daily basis and coordinating with relevant government institutions.
The organization maintains that the new system could create higher costs and more limited supply options not only for exporting countries but also for European steel users in the long term. Despite these headwinds, Dalbeler emphasized that Turkey's steel industry possesses the necessary infrastructure, operational flexibility, and international export experience to navigate this challenging period. The industry plans to intensify efforts in alternative markets to offset potential export losses to the EU.
The association's strategy aims not only to compensate for any losses resulting from EU quota restrictions but also to strengthen Turkey's strategic position within global supply chains. Achieving these objectives will require maintaining fair competitive conditions in international markets and supporting policies that enhance Turkish exporters' competitiveness on the global stage. Source: SteelOrbis, interview with Uğur Dalbeler, chairman of the Turkish Steel Exporters' Association (ÇİB)
Source: steelorbis.com