By Bosphorus News Economy Desk
Türkiye became the world's seventh-largest crude steel producer in 2025 after output increased by 3.3 percent to 38.1 million tonnes, according to the World Steel Association.
The country moved ahead of Germany, whose production fell to 34.1 million tonnes, becoming Europe's second-largest steel producer after Russia. Türkiye had ranked eighth globally in 2024 with output of 36.9 million tonnes.
China remained the world's largest producer with 960.8 million tonnes, followed by India with 164.9 million tonnes. The United States rose to third place, ahead of Japan, while Russia and South Korea retained fifth and sixth positions.
Electric arc furnaces accounted for 72.2 percent of Türkiye's crude steel production in 2025, while integrated plants supplied the remaining 27.8 percent. Billet production rose by 6.1 percent during the year, although slab output declined by 1.2 percent.
The higher ranking strengthens Türkiye's position in the European steel industry, but producers continue to face pressure from imported products, excess global capacity and tighter trade barriers in the European Union and United States.
The Turkish Steel Producers Association has warned that rising Chinese and Russian exports, alongside more restrictive access to major Western markets, could weigh on domestic production and exports from 2026 onward.
Global steel demand was projected to remain broadly flat in 2025 before increasing by 1.3 percent in 2026, according to worldsteel.
Sources: World Steel Association, Turkish Steel Producers Association, Bosphorus News review and reporting.