[SMM Iron & Steel] Turkey’s Q1 2026 Iron Ore Imports Rise 28% to 2.68 Million MT on Supply Diversification

Published: May 18, 2026 11:19

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Turkey's iron ore imports reached 2.68 million metric tons (mt) in the first quarter of 2026, representing a 28% increase year-on-year, while the total import value rose by 25.2% to $286.06 million, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK). This growth was achieved despite a sharp monthly drop in March, where imports fell 18.7% month-on-month to 785,503 mt (with an import value of $81.82 million, down 23.2% MoM). Brazil consolidated its position as the top supplier in Q1, exporting 1.78 million mt (+26.6% YoY), while Norway entered the market with 499,250 mt and imports from Russia skyrocketed by 224.5% to 339,025 mt, completely offsetting the total absence of volumes from Sweden, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine.

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