EİB Reaches Year-End Target in July

Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri, in July increased its exports by 12%, rising from USD 1.236 billion to USD 1.384 billion. In July, Turkey's exports reached USD 18.6 billion, up 13.4%. In the January-July period of 2022, EİB's exports advanced 20%, growing from USD 8.885 billion to USD 10.655 billion. Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri's exports over the past 12 months rose from USD 14.819 billion to USD 18.076 billion. EİB's exports increased 22% year-over-year. Having targeted USD 18 billion in exports for 2022, EİB met its year-end goal by the end of July.  

Agricultural sector exports up 22%

Industrial sectors contributed USD 744 million to EİB's exports in July 2021, while in July 2022 they advanced 6% to USD 791 million in exports. Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri, Turkey's leader in agricultural products exports, increased agricultural exports in July by 22%, from USD 414 million to USD 504 million. The mining sector also recorded 11% growth, reaching USD 87 million in exports.  

Top position unchanged

The Aegean Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters Association brought USD 167.190 million in foreign exchange to Turkey in July, maintaining its top position among the 12 exporter associations within EİB. The Aegean Cereals, Legumes, Oilseeds and Products Exporters Association, which has been the export growth leader in recent months, continued the tradition in July. EHBYİB increased its exports in July by a record 125%, from USD 48 million to USD 108.7 million. The association's 12-month exports reached USD 933 million.  

Aquatic products and animal products exports exceeded USD 1.5 billion

Among EİB member associations, the Aegean Aquatic Products and Animal Products Exporters Association claimed second place in July, edging out the Aegean Ready-made Garments and Apparel Exporters Association. ESÜHMİB increased its exports from USD 110 million in July 2021 to USD 132 million in July 2022, a 20% rise. The Aegean Aquatic Products and Animal Products Exporters Association increased exports over the past 12 months by 29%, from USD 1.160 billion to USD 1.500 billion. ESÜHMİB became the first association within EİB to surpass the USD 1.5 billion annual export threshold among the seven agricultural associations.  

Currency parity pressured EHKİB's exports

The Aegean Ready-made Garments and Apparel Exporters Association, which directs 90% of its exports to the European Union market, was affected by unfavorable euro-to-dollar exchange rate movements. While EHKİB increased euro-based exports from USD 118 million to USD 122 million, dollar-based exports declined 11%, falling from USD 140 million to USD 125 million. The Aegean Mining Exporters Association reached USD 87 million in exports, ranking fifth within EİB. In July, the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association achieved USD 85 million in exports.  

Furniture, paper, forest products and tobacco exports rising

The Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association increased exports by 15%, from USD 53 million to USD 61 million, while the Aegean Tobacco Exporters Association raised exports by 13%, from USD 49 million to USD 55.5 million. The Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters Association, Turkey's first exporter association, recorded USD 42 million in July exports. The Aegean Textiles and Raw Materials Exporters Association achieved USD 25 million in exports, up 12%. The Aegean Olives and Olive Oil Exporters Association brought in USD 17.7 million in foreign exchange, while the Aegean Leather and Leather Products Exporters Association recorded USD 15.6 million in exports. Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri Coordinator Chairman Jak Eskinazi emphasized that Turkey's annual exports exceeded USD 248 billion, EİB's exports surpassed USD 18 billion, and Turkey is the world's global supplier.

We support the Distant Markets Strategy

Eskinazi stressed that diversifying export markets is one of the key areas where Turkey must advance to reach its export goals and continued: "We support the Distant Markets Strategy, whose details have been shared with the public by our Trade Minister Mehmet Muş, which will extend the range of our exports approximately 1,600 km further. There are expectations of contraction in the European Union, where we are strong. A likely demand contraction in Europe would affect all countries exporting to the region. In this context, the Distant Markets Strategy becomes much more meaningful. As exporters, we should focus on new markets."

Aegean Region exports reach USD 2.215 billion

The Aegean Region recorded USD 2.043 billion in exports in July 2021, while in July 2022 it increased exports by 8% to USD 2.215 billion. İzmir contributed USD 1.245 billion to Aegean Region exports, with USD 172 million originating from the Aegean Free Zone and İzmir Free Zone. Aegean exporters contributed USD 15.357 billion to Turkey in the January-July period of 2021, while their contribution for the same period in 2022 reached USD 17.966 billion, a 17% increase. In July 2022, Manisa posted USD 338.7 million in performance, followed by Denizli with USD 330.5 million in exports. Muğla increased exports from USD 62 million in July 2021 to USD 82 million in July 2022, securing fourth place among Aegean Region provinces. Aydın contributed USD 64.7 million and Balıkesir USD 64.2 million to Aegean Region exports. Among Aegean Region provinces, Uşak recorded USD 31 million in exports in July, while Afyonkarahisar achieved USD 30 million and Kütahya USD 28 million.

Exports to 211 countries

Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri exported to 211 countries during the first seven months of 2022, while increasing exports to 145 countries. Among the top 20 export destinations for EİB, only exports to China declined. Germany held first place with USD 1.138 billion in exports, while EİB members achieved USD 856 million in exports to the United States. Italy ranked third with USD 646 million in demand, while exports to the United Kingdom reached USD 614 million. Spain claimed fifth place with USD 558 million in exports.