BURSA, Turkey — Turkish steel exports totaled 19.9 million tonnes in 2012, up 9.6 percent from the previous year, according to data published by the Turkish Steel Exporters’ Association (CIB).

The value of the exports rose 1.8 percent to $15.6 billion in the same comparison.

The Middle East was the largest market for Turkish steel, importing 8.1 million tonnes in 2012. The European Union ranked second with 2.2 million tonnes, and North Africa followed with 2.1 million tonnes.

Steel bar made up the largest share of the export total, reaching nearly 8.9 million tonnes last year. It was followed by billet, 2.97 million tonnes; steel pipe, 1.9 million tonnes; sections, almost 1.7 million tonnes; and wire rod, nearly 1.1 million tonnes.

However, export volumes fell in December to nearly 1.7 million tonnes, down 5.7 percent from the same month a year earlier. The exports were valued at $1.26 billion, down 9.9 percent year on year.

The Middle East was again the largest buyer of Turkish steel products in December, taking in 695,000 tonnes. The European Union was second with 218,000 tonnes, while North America imported some 195,000 tonnes.

Steel bar again accounted for the largest share of the December tally, at 840,000 tonnes; followed by steel pipe, 200,000 tonnes; sections, 126,000 tonnes; hot-rolled coil, 122,000 tonnes; and steel billet, 116,000 tonnes.

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