In January this year, Turkey's total steel product exports amounted to 1.57 million metric tons, falling 5.4 percent month on month and up 1.5 percent compared to the same month of the previous year, with a total revenue of $1.16 billion, decreasing 7.9 percent from December 2012 and down 4.9 percent year on year, according to the Turkey's Steel Exporters' Association (CIB).

The Middle East was Turkey's largest destination for steel exports in January this year, receiving 472,300 metric tons, followed by the EU countries with 221,700 mt and by Central and South America with 96,100 mt. In January, the most exported steel product in terms of volume was rebar amounting to 567,100 mt, followed by 325,600 mt of steel billet, 126,500 mt of wire rod, 124,400 mt of hot rolled flat steel, and 122,900 mt of section steel.