According to data released by the Turkish Steel Exporters’ (CIB), Turkey exported 5.4 million tons of steel products in the first quarter of 2012, rising by 7.7% year on year. Meanwhile, the country’s export revenues generated by steel products totaled US$4.36 billion.

The country targets to raise its steel export values to US$18.5 billion in 2013 from US$15.5 billion in a year ago. Namik Ekinci, the chairman of CIB said that Turkey must keep expanding its product range and focus on the value-added products to reach the target.

In the first quarter of this year, the Middle East was the largest importer of the Turkish steel with 2.1 million tons; the EU was the second largest one with 874,000 tons and North Africa was the third largest one with 603,000 tons.