[SMM Steel] Export Barriers Intensify Domestic Squeeze; Turkish HRC Breaches 600 USD/tonne Downward

Published: Jul 20, 2026 15:52

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[Turkey] Turkish domestic HRC prices accelerated downward this week as mainstream ex-works offers officially breached the 600 USD/tonne threshold, dropping by 10 USD/tonne to 590 USD/tonne EXW. Meanwhile, export quotes edged down by 5 USD/tonne to 580 USD/tonne FOB. Persistent friction in exporting to Europe has forced many local mills to redirect export volumes back to the home market, intensifying domestic supply pressure. Currently, mainstream mills are primarily booking September production, with select sellers even offering prompt allocations for late-August delivery. Concurrently, Turkish HRC volumes cleared into the EU this quarter have surpassed 370,000 tonnes, far exceeding the formal quarterly quota of 160,574 tonnes. As some importers attempt to re-declare shipments under separate free trade agreement allocations, the final tariff rate remains uncertain. Consequently, mills have begun rushing to secure forward bookings, with a recent export sale to Greece confirmed for October shipment at 580–585 USD/tonne FOB.

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