According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), Turkey imported a total of around 2.13 million tons of billet and bloom in the first three quarters of this year, falling by 17% compared to the same period in the previous year. The value of these imports was down by 19% year on year to around US$1.2 billion.

Among them, imports from Russia accounted for the largest proportion, totaling around 447,000 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 62%, followed by Malaysia’s 383,000 tons and Indonesia’s 274,000 tons.

In September alone, Turkey's billet and bloom imports amounted to approximately 273,000 tons, keeping flat month on month and soaring by 198% year on year. These imports were worth around US$175 million, a month-on-month hike of 18% and a year-on-year surge of 235%.