BURSA, Turkey — Steel product exports from Turkey totaled 18.2 million tonnes in the first 11 months of this year, an 11.4-percent increase from the same period in 2011, according to the Turkish Steel Exporters’ Association. The exports were valued at $14.3 billion.

The largest buyer was the Middle East, taking 7.4 million tonnes, followed by the European Union (2 million tonnes) and North Africa (1.9 million tonnes).

Rebar accounted for the largest share of year-to-date exports at 8.04 million tonnes, followed by billets (2.85 million tonnes), pipe (1.72 million tonnes), sections (1.55 million tonnes) and wire rod (1 million tonnes).

November steel exports totaled 1.51 million tonnes, up 14.8 percent from the same month last year, including 610,000 tonnes of bar, 203,000 tonnes of pipe, 140,000 tonnes of sections, 138,000 tonnes of hot-rolled coil and 122,000 tonnes of billet.

The leading destinations last month were the Middle East (576,000 tonnes), the E.U. (235,000 tonnes) and North Africa (220,000 tonnes).

A version of this article was first published by AMM sister publication Steel First.