Morocco has exempted Turkey-origin imports of cold rolled and coated coil from its recently-imposed 25% tariff on imports of these products, Kallanish learns from the Turkish economy ministry.

The charge was imposed last month for a period of 200 days. Morocco’s existing 11% duty on hot rolled coil imports from Turkey remains in place. The ministry gave no reasoning for the exemption and did not respond to requests for further comment.

Morocco’s imports of CRC increased by around 100% in 2012 and a further 89% in 2013, according to Maghreb Steel. The increase has come largely from EU producers compensating from reduced domestic demand.

Turkish exports of CRC to Morocco were valued at only $4.8 million in January-September, but this already surpassed the full-year 2013 figure of $4.1m, according to Turkish Statistical Institute data. Coated sheet shipments to the country, meanwhile, were at $4.05m in the nine months, compared to $4.3m in full-year 2013.