Lower consumption in the Middle East has pulled down Turkish billet exports to 131,660 tonne in February against 233,823 t tonne in the same month, last year. The figure was 135,438 tonne in January 2009.
The UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia did not import billet from Turkey in February.
Egypt had been the largest importer in January, at 45,000 tonne. However, Iran was the biggest billet export market in February, at 40,000 tonne. Thailand, Morocco and Albania followed with 40,000 tonne, 34,828 tonne and 10,850 tonne respectively.