AKİB Boosts Exports by 40%

AKİB Increases Exports by 40 Percent Mediterranean Exporters Associations (AKİB) achieved USD 1.91 billion in exports in June, representing a 37 percent increase compared to the same period last year, while in the first half of 2022 it reached USD 10.22 billion in foreign sales, up 40 percent year-over-year. AKİB Coordinator Chairman Fuat Tosyalı stated that Mediterranean exporters are continuing on their path with determination by capitalizing on opportunities in international markets during a period when the world is grappling with economic difficulties, notably high inflation and declining growth expectations. He continued: "In the first half of 2022, we were the association that achieved the highest export volume growth among the 14 general secretariats nationwide. Between January and June, we contributed 9 percent to our country's exports. Despite the disruptions in global supply chains that began during the pandemic and continue to this day, as well as the problems created by supply and demand imbalances, I congratulate all our members who have increased market diversification and strengthened our position in world trade, and I extend my gratitude."

Highest exports to Netherlands, Iraq and South Africa

Chairman Tosyalı emphasized that the successful results of efforts to reach new markets in the global arena are reflected in the first-half reports of 2022, noting that the record-level increases achieved in distant markets are gratifying. He continued: "When we evaluate our association's exports for the January-June 2022 period by country, the countries where we exported the most show the Netherlands in first place with a 61 percent increase and USD 794.5 million. Following this country, Iraq ranked second with a 51 percent increase and USD 723.5 million, and the Republic of South Africa ranked third with a 941 percent increase and USD 622 million. During the period in question, we achieved the highest export volume increases in the Singapore, South Africa and France markets. Singapore ranked first with a 4,820 percent increase and USD 215.9 million, the Republic of South Africa ranked second with a 941 percent increase and USD 622 million, and France ranked third with a 107 percent increase and USD 221 million." Chairman Tosyalı noted that the United States, Romania, Northern Cyprus, Poland and Egypt are other markets where significant export increases were achieved, and expressed his belief that AKİB, in line with the government's Distant Countries Strategy, will set new records in export increases in markets such as Singapore, the Republic of South Africa and the United States.

Highest exports in chemicals, iron-steel, cereals and legumes

Chairman Fuat Tosyalı noted that in the first half of the year, the region achieved the highest export values in chemicals, iron-steel, cereals and legumes, and stated that the strongest increases in export volume were achieved by the chemicals, aquatic products and animal products, and cereals and legumes associations, explaining as follows: "In the first half of the year, the Chemical Substances and Products Exporters Association achieved the highest exports with a 74 percent increase and USD 3.8 billion. The Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters Association ranked second with a 26 percent increase and USD 2.48 billion, and the Cereals, Legumes, Oilseeds and Products Exporters Association ranked third with a 33 percent increase and USD 965.2 million. Also in this month, the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Exporters Association increased its performance by 22 percent, achieving USD 801.9 million in exports. The Textiles and Raw Materials Exporters Association achieved USD 754.2 million with a 25 percent increase, the Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association achieved USD 616.8 million with a 10 percent increase, the Aquatic Products and Animal Products Exporters Association achieved USD 313.1 million with a 48 percent increase, and the Ready-Made Clothing and Apparel Exporters Association achieved USD 185.4 million with an 18 percent increase."

AKİB represented by 115 companies

Chairman Fuat Tosyalı stated that another source of pride for AKİB is the results of the Turkish Exporters Council (TİM) Turkey's Top 1000 Exporters 2021 Research, noting that AKİB was represented by 115 companies on the "export champions" list announced in June. Chairman Tosyalı continued: "In 2020, AKİB appeared on the TİM 1000 list with 79 members and USD 11 billion in export volume. In 2021, it appeared with 115 members and USD 15.03 billion in export performance. Our association, which earned over USD 16.3 billion in foreign exchange for our country in 2021, contributed 12.18 percent to the total USD 123.3 billion export volume on the export champions list. With over 22,000 members nationwide, primarily in Mersin, Adana, Hatay, Kayseri and Karaman provinces, AKİB markets production in 8 main sectors to 215 countries and free trade zones worldwide. In 2021, AKİB achieved a 56.5 percent increase in export volume on the TİM 1000 list compared to the previous year. When we examine our association's performance on the TİM 1000 by sectors, 18 companies from the cereals, legumes and oilseeds sector, 16 from the steel sector, and 12 from the textiles and raw materials sector made it onto the list. These sectors are followed by 7 companies from chemicals, 6 each from fresh fruits and vegetables, and iron and non-ferrous metals, and 5 from furniture, paper and forest products. I congratulate all the managers and employees of the companies on the list for their contributions to our country's economy and exports, and wish them continued success."