Turkey’s aluminium bar rods and profiles export may drop 4.4% in 2019 after past year-on-year rises

The global demand for aluminium in the building and construction sector had been driving the aluminium bar rods and profiles exports by Turkey. Till last year 2018, the industry in Turkey saw a year-on-year growth. But this year may create an exception. According to our third party data, Turkey’s exports of aluminium bar rods and profiles are likely to drop from the previous year.

In 2018, the estimated export volume was at 174,871 tonnes, after growing by 13 per cent from 154,268 tonnes in the year 2017 and by 21 per cent from 144,663 tonnes in 2016. This represents that both the years 2017 as well as 2018 saw a year-on-year rise. But this year, Turkey’s estimated export of aluminium bar rods and profiles would drop to 167,167 tonnes, down 4.4 per cent from 2018 but up 8 per cent and 16 per cent from 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Turkey’s revenue from aluminium rods and profiles exports is also estimated to stand lower than the previous year in tandem with the volume.  Compared to US$ 523 million in 2018, the value is likely to be pegged at US$ 471 million in 2019, down 10 per cent. In the previous years like 2016 and 2017, the values were at US$366 million and US$401 million, as shown in the graph below. This indicates that even though the Turkey’s export value in 2019 would be lesser than in 2018 but 29 per cent and 17 per cent more than in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The graph at the same time indicates that 2017 and 2018 saw a year-on-year rise in Turkey’s revenue from aluminium bar rods and profiles export, in consequence to the growth in volume.

Germany is estimated to be the key purchaser of Turkey’s aluminium bar rods and profiles this year. The country is likely tosecure 44,321 tonnes. Iraq is likely to be the next key buyer, totalling 17,733 tonnes of aluminium bar rods and profiles.