The "You Have the Say - Steel conversations" event organized by the Steel Foreign Trade Association (ÇDTD) brought together the leading names of the sector and discussed the challenges and solution suggestions faced by the Turkish steel industry. At the event moderated by Kocaer Çelik Board Member Mehmet Çakmur, 2023 was evaluated and 2024 expectations were discussed.
Mehmet Çakmur stated that Türkiye is facing an unprecedented crisis and that control of the increase in costs has been lost. He emphasized that interest rate increases slow down the economy and the situation in Asian markets negatively affects exports. He also said that logistics problems and low scrap quantity were behind the increase in scrap costs.
Metkim General Manager Osman Türeyyen evaluated the scrap market and focused on Türkiye's import and export issues. Referring to the Green Steel project, Türeyyen stated that despite the difficulties, the Turkish steel industry managed 2023 well and predicted that 2024 would be a difficult year. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the quality of raw materials.
Hüseyin Ocakçı of the Confederation of Chinese Businessmen and Entrepreneurs (CIEC) talked about production, exports, capacity utilization and price increases in China. Ocakçı touched on China's daily production and drew attention to the increase in capacity utilization rate. He stated that Southeast Asia is a common problem for China and Türkiye and stated that similar themes will continue for 2024.
Salih Serdar Koçtürk, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Steel Exporters Association, emphasized the risks on the trade route and stated that natural disasters and wars affect domestic demand. Drawing attention to the increase in freight rates, Koçtürk pointed out the risks that should be taken into account as we enter 2024.
Sector Advisor and Board Member Asuman Gürsoy stated that high prices given by domestic producers affected imports and caused difficulties in the transfer amount. She stated that Turkey makes support shipments at affordable prices.
Bilecik Demirçelik General Manager Muammer Bilgic talked about production models and prices and pointed out that Türkiye is the biggest country with increasing imports. Referring to chronic cost problems and the increase in scrap demand, Bilgic stated that it has reached an unmanageable point.
Çolakoğlu Metallurgy Sales Manager Kürşad Aynas stated that there is a foreign trade deficit, stating the decrease in flat product exports and the increase in imports. Drawing attention to the decrease in China's imports to Türkiye, Aynas touched upon problems such as quotas and anti-dumping.
Steel Foreign Trade Association Board Member Mete Bülent Adalı made a general speech about wire rod and said that a rational attitude should be taken considering the country's resources and economic situations. Referring to the quota system implemented in Europe and America, Adalı stated that Türkiye should take similar steps.
This important event allowed industry representatives to exchange views and develop strategies for the future of the industry.
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