According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), Turkey imported a total of around 703,000 tons of slab in the first two months, growing by 20% compared to the year-ago period, with a total import value of US$352 million, a year-on-year hike of 11%.

Among them, imports from Russia occupied the largest share of the total, amounting to roughly 330,000 tons, a year-on-year surge of 180%. Malaysia and Algeria ranked second and third with roughly 207,000 tons and 110,000 tons.

In February alone, Turkey’s slab imports totaled around 388,000 tons, rising by 23% compared to the previous month and by 75% from the same month a year ago. The import value was US$191 million, a month-on-month hike of 19% and a year-on-year jump of 58%.