Exports Reach $14.5 Billion in Nine Months

Exports Reach $14.5 Billion in Nine Months Turkey's exports to neighboring countries Bulgaria, Iran, Iraq, Georgia, Syria and Greece during the January-September period increased 34.4 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching $14.5 billion. According to information compiled by an AA correspondent from data provided by the Ministry of Commerce and the Turkish Exporters Assembly, the country's exports in September reached $20.8 billion, up 30 percent compared to the same period last year. With this figure, the $20 billion threshold was exceeded on a monthly basis for the first time in the history of the Republic. The country's exports during the January-September period reached $161 billion, up 36 percent compared to the same period last year. During the January-September period, Turkey realized exports of $14,509,605 thousand to Bulgaria, Iran, Iraq, Georgia, Syria and Greece. This amount stood at $10,794,024 thousand in the same period last year. Thus, exports to these countries increased 34.4 percent in nine months compared to the same period last year. During the period in question, the largest exports were to Iraq at $6,156,461 thousand. Iraq was followed by Bulgaria with $2,542,798 thousand, Greece with $2,009,810 thousand, Iran with $1,651,194 thousand, Georgia with $1,083,259 thousand and Syria with $1,066,080 thousand. During the nine-month period, exports to all countries increased on an annual basis. The largest increases were observed in exports to Greece at 62 percent, Syria at 59.1 percent and Bulgaria at 46.3 percent. When examining the distribution of Turkey's exports to neighbors by sector, the "chemicals and chemical products" sector ranked first. Exports from this sector to six neighboring countries reached $2,432,854 thousand. This sector was followed by "cereals, legumes, oilseeds and products" with $1,839,378 thousand and "steel" with $1,253,142 thousand. The sectors with the least exports were ranked as "other industrial products" with $8,254 thousand, "ornamental plants and products" with $11,049 thousand and "defense and aerospace industry" with $11,765 thousand.