Western Mediterranean Region Exports Reach $192 Million

Western Mediterranean Recorded USD 192 Million in Exports In October, the provinces of Antalya, Burdur and Isparta, which comprise the Western Mediterranean region, recorded exports of USD 192 million 805 thousand 429 despite a 4.78 percent decline. Exports realized between 1 January and 31 October 2022 reached USD 2 billion 125 million 679 thousand 639, up 2.92 percent. The monthly decline gave way to growth in total exports, with the region expected to close the year with an increase.

Batı Akdeniz İhracatçılar Birliği Chairman of the Board of Directors Ümit Mirza Çavuşoğlu commented on the export figures.

Çavuşoğlu noted that the fresh fruit and vegetable sector achieved the highest exports in October at USD 44 million 637 thousand 803, and continued as follows: "Our mining and metals sector came in as the second-largest exporting sector from our region with USD 38 million 847 thousand 39. Our chemicals and chemical products sector ranked third with exports of USD 23 million 892 thousand 274, drawing attention with a 26.70 percent increase. Our Wood Products and Forest Products sector in fourth place recorded USD 20 million 730 thousand 721 in exports, while our Cement Glass Ceramics and Clay Products sector recorded USD 9 million 355 thousand 855, ranking fourth and fifth on the list. With the start of greenhouse vegetable exports in November, we expect the fresh fruit and vegetable sector's exports to gain momentum." [caption id="attachment_146216" align="aligncenter"] Batı Akdeniz İhracatçılar Birliği Chairman of the Board of Directors Ümit Mirza Çavuşoğlu[/caption]

Noting that in October the largest exports went to Russia at USD 17 million 41 thousand 896, and exports to China in second place on the list reached USD 15 million 8 thousand 512, Çavuşoğlu continued as follows:

"Germany ranked third on the list with USD 1 million 771 thousand 900 in exports. The United States, with USD 9 million 746 thousand 56 in exports this month, ranked fourth on the list while establishing itself among our region's main markets. Exports to Ukraine rose to USD 7 million 552 thousand with a 31.57 percent increase. When examining the 10-month trend of exports from our region by sector, the fresh fruit and vegetable sector was once again seen to rank first. The fresh fruit and vegetable sector reached USD 533 million 726 thousand 208. Mining and metals sector, dominated by natural stone, ranked second on the list with USD 443 million 80 thousand 933 in exports. The Wood Products and Forest Products sector ranked third with USD 246 million 803 thousand 891 in exports. As in October, the Chemicals and Chemical Products sector, which drew attention for its export growth over the 10-month period, ranked fourth on the list with USD 218 million 43 thousand 683. The Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals sector recorded USD 110 million 677 thousand 397, ranking as the fifth-largest exporting sector while achieving the feat of surpassing the USD 100 million threshold."   Çavuşoğlu announced that over the 10-month period, the largest exports from the region went to Germany at USD 162 million 452 thousand 992, and stated: "Germany is followed by China with USD 154 million 748 thousand 552, Russia with USD 148 million 258 thousand 312, the Netherlands with USD 106 million 195 thousand 874, and the United States with USD 104 million 866 thousand 778. During the remaining period, our 2 thousand 462 members achieved exports to 171 countries and regions from our region. We continue our efforts to increase product and market diversity in our region's exports. In this framework, we organized a sectoral trade mission last week to Seoul, the capital of South Korea, for our cosmetics sector. We brought together Western Mediterranean companies with South Korean cosmetics manufacturers. Over 100 sector professionals from 56 South Korean companies held business meetings with Western Mediterranean sector professionals at the organization we arranged. Our goal is to increase exports to this country. We also participated in the fresh fruit and vegetable fair held in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. At our Association's stand, we introduced Far Eastern sector representatives to Western Mediterranean export products. We will continue such efforts. At the Growtech Fair as well, we will bring together sector representatives coming from abroad with our companies at the same table to hold business meetings."