Aegean Exporters' Associations increase exports by 7% in November

Aegean Exporters Unions' November exports rose 7 percent year-on-year to USD 1 billion 213 million, marking the highest November export figure in the organization's history. Turkey's overall exports in November declined 1 percent to USD 16 billion 88 million. During the January-November period, Aegean Exporters Unions exported USD 11 billion 749 million, with the trailing twelve-month export figure standing at USD 12 billion 855 million. Members' agricultural exports reached USD 468 million, while industrial exports rose 15 percent to USD 659 million.

Industrial exports up 15 percent: Iron and steel sector leads

Aegean Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters Union, with a 46 percent increase, earned Turkey USD 142 million, making it both the month's growth record holder and the top-performing union in November exports. Fresh fruit and vegetable exports reached USD 45 million, while processed fruit and vegetable exports rose 17 percent to USD 72 million. Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Union ranked second with total exports of USD 116 million, up 8 percent. Aegean Ready-Made Clothing and Apparel Exporters Union came in third with USD 113 million in exports. Aegean Dried Fruit and Processed Products Exporters Union generated USD 92 million in exports. Aegean Aquatic Products and Animal Products Exporters Union and Aegean Mining Exporters Union closed November with USD 86 million in exports each. Aegean Tobacco Exporters Union reported USD 66 million in exports, while Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Union recorded USD 57 million. Aegean Cereals, Legumes, Oilseeds and Products Exporters Union reached USD 32 million in exports. Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Union raised its exports to USD 27 million, up 7 percent. Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters Union reported USD 15 million in exports, while Aegean Leather and Leather Products Exporters Union achieved USD 9 million.

New reform and acceleration period in exports

Aegean Exporters Unions Coordinator Chairman Jak Eskinazi, recalling President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's words "We are launching a brand new mobilization in economy, law and democracy," continued: "Our country's new reform and acceleration period conveys to us the message that we must advance with a strategy that sets higher value-added production and exports in greater motion. In this difficult period we are going through alongside the global economy, Aegean Exporters Unions' 7 percent export growth indicates that we have a mission triggering the reform process in Turkey. At the same time, our positive performance above the national average in November is further confirmation that this will continue in December. Digitalization efforts have played a major role in this positive picture. In the third quarter, Turkey maintained its position as the fastest-growing country among G20 and OECD nations with a growth rate of 6.7 percent, exceeding expectations. So far, apart from Turkey, only China, Taiwan and Vietnam have announced positive growth."

Emphasis on "Izmir should be a free zone"

Eskinazi stated: "In the coming years, three of the world's largest economies are projected to be emerging markets in Asia. Turkey's economy is estimated to be among the world's top ten largest economies by 2050. It is inevitable that our country will further strengthen its role in global trade in the coming period. However, we must act by making preparations suited to each market's dynamics. While countries continue climate crisis diplomacy and trade wars on one side, on the other, the RCEP agreement signed by 15 Asia-Pacific nations—a measure taken for supply chains—has created the world's largest free trade area. Should Izmir become a free zone, our exports will become more sustainable. We must shape our agenda according to the new world order and build our environmental and digitalization policies on solid foundations. If we act with solidarity, cooperation and coordination through the right strategy, we can take our exports to much better levels," he said.