Western Mediterranean Exports Continue Uninterrupted

Western Mediterranean Exports Continue Uninterrupted Western Mediterranean exports in September show that the top five exporting sectors by volume also account for one-third of total September exports. The mining and metals sector achieved the highest exports in September, up 16.80 percent year-on-year, reaching USD 52,612,643. Fresh fruits and vegetables ranked second on the list. The fresh fruits and vegetables sector, which has been breaking export records this year, achieved exports of USD 47,019,723 in September, up 31.03 percent. Wood products and forest products ranked third with a 26.24 percent increase and exports of USD 29,914,388. The fourth-largest exporting sector was chemicals, down 10.26 percent with USD 24,282,470 in exports, while the fifth sector was cement, glass, ceramics and earth products, down 8.20 percent with USD 10,659,668 in exports. China was the largest export destination in September. Exports to China increased at a record rate of 104.87 percent. September exports to the Chinese market, where export records were broken after months, reached USD 28,701,458. The United States ranked second on the list. In September, exports to the United States increased 80.57 percent to USD 17,451,846. Exports to Russia, one of the region's most critical markets, declined 10.19 percent in September, reaching USD 15,717,308. Germany, ranked fourth, received exports of USD 14,869,088, down 0.22 percent. The Netherlands, ranked fifth, received exports of USD 8,834,604, down 15.93 percent. From 1 January to 30 September, fresh fruits and vegetables achieved the highest exports from the region. The fresh fruits and vegetables sector increased exports 27.68 percent to USD 624,444,097. The sector is expected to push its annual exports above USD 800 million and approach USD 1 billion by year-end. The mining and metals sector generated USD 355,807,856 in exports over the nine-month period, down 12.14 percent. Wood products and forest products, ranked third, exported USD 238,316,596 over the nine-month period, up 5.42 percent. The chemicals sector ranked fourth with a 0.69 percent increase and exports of USD 192,805,514, while the ferrous and non-ferrous metals sector ranked fifth with a 27.87 percent decline and exports of USD 75,003,946.