On the second day of the Steel Networking Summit 2026, organized by the Turkish Steel Exporters’ Association (ÇİB) on October 27, industry representatives discussed changes in steel trade across Asia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), as well as Turkey’s position in global supply chains. Key issues included China’s export shift, rising demand in India and growing trade barriers for Turkish steel.
Asia and MENA: demand and trade flows
The session “From Asia to MENA: Shaping the Next Chapter of Global Steel” brought together Johns Hopkins University lecturer Margaret Myers; Su Buxin, deputy secretary general of the China Metallurgical Council and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade; Anastasiia Kononenko, head of SteelOrbis’s Asia market intelligence team; Coco Zhang, Turkey business manager at Cheongfuli-Xiamen&HK, C&D Steel INTL; and Burak Odabaşı, Middle East and Africa reporter at Kallanish Commodities. SteelOrbis CEO Murat Eryılmaz moderated the discussion.
Panelists said weaker domestic demand in China and changing export conditions are pushing the country toward higher-value and lower-carbon manufacturing. Steel-intensive vehicles, machinery and other finished goods are expected to play a larger role in overseas sales. Stricter licensing procedures and carbon documentation are also raising requirements for exporters and traders: reliable delivery, compliance and payment security are becoming as important as price.
In India, steel demand is forecast to grow by about 8%, absorbing new capacity and limiting the need for exports. Overseas sales are expected to focus on higher-priced European markets and established customers in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. In Southeast Asia, by contrast, production exceeds consumption in markets including Indonesia and Malaysia, leaving exportable surpluses, particularly billets and slabs. ASEAN steel exports are expected to remain near 20 million tonnes a year in the coming years, panelists said, as several capacity projects have been paused and no major increase in export aggressiveness is anticipated.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE were identified as key MENA demand centers, supported by infrastructure development and private construction. The outlook is clouded by regional conflict and liquidity constraints. Shipping disruptions and difficulties sourcing raw materials are restricting industrial activity, while delayed payments by private developers are adding pressure to construction. Panelists also pointed to Africa’s growing role as a supplier of iron ore and metallics, and to the potential for lower-carbon steelmaking in MENA using natural gas and renewable energy. But some proposed investments have been delayed or are under review, leaving the timing of new capacity and a Gulf demand recovery uncertain.
Turkish producers face barriers despite supply-chain advantages
The second session, “The Turkish Steel Industry: A Strategic Partner in Global Supply Chains,” examined Turkey’s competitiveness amid protectionism and shifting trade flows. Speakers included Salih Serdar Koçtürk, general manager of Kibar Dış Ticaret; Dr. S. Armağan Vurdu, secretary general of the Istanbul Minerals and Metals Exporters’ Associations; and Kerem Çakır, general manager of Borçelik. Strategist Cüneyt Paksoy moderated the session.
Panelists said buyers increasingly weigh delivery reliability, technical capabilities and carbon performance alongside price. Turkey can offer geographic proximity, production flexibility and multiple transport options. Short delivery times and the ability to supply different steel grades make the country a complementary partner for European production chains. However, shrinking quotas and rising tariffs are putting pressure on established trade relationships. Measures to protect steelmakers, panelists said, should also account for steel-consuming industries such as automotive and household appliances.
Verified, plant-level emissions data are becoming increasingly important for market access. Panelists said actual emissions should be recognized under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), allowing the advantages of Turkey’s predominantly electric-arc-furnace-based production to be reflected. Predictable trade and climate rules matter for investment, while exporters need to prepare for trade-defense investigations. Cooperation between the public and private sectors in international negotiations is also essential to preserving market access.
To strengthen resilience, panelists recommended making existing capacity more competitive through lower energy costs and favorable financing. New investment should focus on products that currently depend on imports, higher-value goods and low-carbon production. Potential sources of demand include African markets and reconstruction in neighboring countries if geopolitical risks ease, alongside domestic energy, infrastructure, social housing and urban renewal projects. They also stressed the need for predictable raw-material supplies in an industry dependent on scrap.
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