Turkey Rises to 7th Spot in Global Crude Steel Production: New Dynamics in the Sector

Turkey produced 38.1 million tonnes of crude steel in 2025, climbing one place to claim the world’s seventh‑largest producer slot.

Global Steel Production Rankings Reshaped

■China remains the dominant player, but output fell to 960.8 million tonnes, down from 1,005.1 million tonnes the previous year.

■India held onto second place, boosting production from 149.4 million tonnes to 164.9 million tonnes.

■The United States, with 81.9 million tonnes, overtook Japan to secure third place.

■Japan posted 80.7 million tonnes (fourth), Russia 67.9 million tonnes, and South Korea 62.2 million tonnes (sixth).

Turkey’s Surge: 38.1 Mt in 2025

■Production rose from 36.9 Mt in 2024 to 38.1 Mt in 2025, a 3.3 % increase.

■Germany, at 34.1 Mt, slipped to eighth, while Turkey moved ahead to seventh.

■Strong domestic demand, a rebound in export markets, and capacity‑optimising investments drove the jump.

■Turkey now stands as Europe’s largest steel producer, sharpening its regional competitive edge.

Regional and Global Trends

■Global output contracted to 1,848.9 Mt, primarily due to a slowdown in China.

■Traditional powerhouses—Japan, Russia, South Korea, Germany, Mexico, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom—all reported lower production.

■India, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Australia, Portugal, and Qatar managed to increase output, expanding their share of the world market.

■Analysts project China to fall to 800 Mt by 2027, while India could reach 350 Mt.

Market and Investment Implications for the Steel Sector

■Turkey’s output boost may translate into modest price appreciation and improved export margins.

■Germany and Russia will need to focus on cost efficiency and technological upgrades to stay competitive.

■A production pull‑back in China could tighten global steel supply, heightening short‑term price volatility.

■Investors might turn attention to equities of Turkish Steel Producers Association (TÇÜD) members and related infrastructure projects.

Turkey’s ascent in steel output underscores the growing weight of emerging economies in the global metals arena, juxtaposed against a backdrop of stagnation in mature markets. While a sudden surge in steel demand is unlikely, short‑term price swings will hinge on the supply‑demand balance, yet the medium‑term outlook favors Turkey’s steady growth strategy, potentially unlocking new opportunities across regional supply chains. Fatih Kılıç, Lead Data Scientist, Economic Indicators