Posted on 16 Nov 2018
The Turkish Steel Exporters Association (CIB) has called for measures to protect against what it sees to be state-subsidised exports of rebar from Iran to Turkey.
Iranian steel production has increased rapidly in recent years to the point it is now threatening Turkey, according to CIB. Iranian crude steel output rose 20% on-year in the nine months through September to 18.5 million tonnes, the second-fastest increase in the world after Vietnam, CIB says quoting worldsteel data. The country plans to double its current capacity to 55m t/year by 2025.
“We’re observing Iran intensifying cross-border exports to Turkey without regard for seismic design requirements,” CIB chairman Adnan Aslan says in a note sent to Kallanish. Steel, mainly rebar, imports from Iran averaged 1,000 tonnes/month earlier this year but shot up to 5,000t in September, with sales occurring at prices that are competitive in the already low-priced Turkish market environment. “This situation shows the state has provided support to the Iranian steel industry… to reduce the negative effects of the US embargo on Iran,” Aslan adds.
To counter this development Aslan proposes Turkey reintroduces customs duties on rebar imports that were removed earlier this year. Moreover, besides the TS-708 standard requirement, imported product – like domestic material – should have a G certificate proving it complies with the environment and urbanisation ministry’s earthquake regulations.
