Export Record from EİB in March

Aegean Exporters Associations (EİB) increased exports in March by 28 percent, from USD 1.281 billion to USD 1.634 billion, setting a monthly record. All 12 exporter associations under the EİB umbrella succeeded in increasing their exports in March. Aegean Exporters Associations increased exports in the first quarter of 2022 by 26 percent, from USD 3.512 billion to USD 4.442 billion, while EİB's annual exports advanced by 30 percent, from USD 13.275 billion to USD 17.238 billion. Industrial sectors surpassed USD 10 billion, agricultural sectors exceeded USD 6 billion Exports from industrial sectors under Aegean Exporters Associations rose 25 percent in March, from USD 780 million to USD 975 million, while industrial sectors' exports over the past 12 months reached USD 10.074 billion, breaking the USD 10 billion threshold for the first time. Agricultural sectors under EİB increased their March exports by 35 percent, from USD 412 million to USD 555 million, while EİB's agricultural exports over the past 12 months grew 19 percent, exceeding USD 6 billion for the first time to reach USD 6.040 billion. Mining sector exports in March reached USD 103.8 million with 18 percent growth, while annual exports advanced 19 percent from USD 946 million to USD 1.123 billion.

Ferrous and non-ferrous metals exports approached USD 2.5 billion

Aegean Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters Association increased March exports by 66 percent, from USD 161 million to USD 265 million, while annual performance reached USD 2.493 billion and broke the 2011 export record of USD 2.445 billion. AFDMEA also held the record for March export growth rate.

Aquatic products and animal products sector ranked second

Aegean Aquatic Products and Animal Products Exporters Association took the top spot in March with 38 percent performance growth, bringing USD 140 million in foreign currency to Turkey. Aegean Ready-made Clothing and Confectionery Exporters Association, which increased March exports by 20 percent, earned USD 139.264 million in foreign currency for Turkey.

Mining sector surpassed USD 100 million threshold

Aegean Mining Exporters Association achieved fourth ranking among associations crossing the USD 100 million threshold with USD 103.886 million in export performance. Aegean Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Exporters Association, which held elections on 1 April for management teams to serve during 2022-26, demonstrated 16 percent growth with USD 95.207 million in export performance. EYFVEA's annual exports advanced to USD 1.217 billion.

Furniture, paper and forest products exports up 45 percent

Aegean Furniture, Paper and Non-wood Forest Products Exporters Association achieved 45 percent export growth in March, recording USD 83.178 million in exports.

Cereals, legumes and oilseeds exports up 61 percent

Aegean Cereals, Legumes, Oilseeds and Products Exporters Association added another success in March. Having increased exports from USD 48.952 million in March 2021 to USD 79.050 million in March 2022 with 61 percent growth, ECLOEA recorded USD 770 million in annual exports with 50 percent growth. Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters Association increased March exports by 19 percent to USD 75.224 million, reaching USD 876.395 million on an annual basis.

Tobacco exports halted downward trend

Aegean Tobacco Exporters Association, which ended 2021 in deficit on exports, increased March exports by 39 percent, from USD 42.5 million to USD 58.090 million. ATEA's first quarter 2022 export performance increased by 11 percent from USD 143 million to USD 159 million. Aegean Textiles and Raw Materials Exporters Association, which set export growth records in 2021, concluded March 2022 with 7 percent export growth and USD 37 million in exports. Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters Association, shaken by the ban on olive oil exports in packaging over 5 litres, nevertheless increased exports by 44 percent despite the ban, from USD 14.2 million to USD 20.5 million. Aegean Leather and Leather Products Exporters Association made a bright start to 2022 and continued its export success in March. ELDPEA increased March exports by 39 percent, from USD 13.2 million to USD 18.4 million, and advanced annual exports by 50 percent to USD 185 million.

"Cost increases are concerning"

Aegean Exporters Associations Coordinator Chairman Jak Eskinazi stated that following the pandemic, Turkey has become an attraction centre for the entire world, noting that they experience no demand-side problems from export markets but face difficulties in price fixing due to the inflationary environment. Eskinazi warned exporters to be more careful when pricing, stating: "Annual inflation figures according to TURKSTAT have reached 115 percent in producer prices. Our exporters in such an inflationary environment face the risk of capital erosion if they fail to calculate costs correctly when massive price increases arrive daily in energy and raw material prices."

Aegean Region exported USD 2.794 billion

Aegean Region demonstrated USD 2.794 billion in export performance in March. Aegean Region succeeded in improving exports from USD 2.274 billion in March 2021 by 22 percent. İzmir, which earned USD 1.155 billion in March 2021, achieved USD 1.437 billion in March 2022, accounting for 51 percent of Aegean Region exports, while the chemical sector was the leading export sector in İzmir with USD 216 million. İzmir's ferrous and non-ferrous metals exporters brought USD 138.5 million in foreign currency to Turkey, while ready-made clothing sector exports reached USD 137.4 million.

Denizli ranked second

Denizli emerged ahead in the fierce competition between Manisa and Denizli in March. Denizli achieved USD 498 million in export success, with the ready-made clothing sector providing the largest contribution with USD 132 million. Steel sector exports reached USD 99 million while the electrical-electronics sector achieved USD 81 million in exports. Manisa ranked third among Aegean Region provinces in March with USD 491 million in exports. The electrical-electronics sector maintained its leading position with USD 229 million in exports, while air-conditioning sector exports reached USD 78 million and automotive parts sector exports totalled USD 63 million. Aydın achieved USD 88.7 million in exports in March, with the mining sector being the leading sector with USD 20 million in exports. Balıkesir followed Aydın with USD 86.2 million in exports, with aquatic products and animal products sector being the largest exporting sector in Balıkesir at USD 19 million. Muğla exported USD 72.165 million, with aquatic products and animal products sector accounting for the major share of USD 47 million. Kütahya reached USD 50.6 million in March exports, with the ceramic sector accounting for USD 27 million of these exports. Uşak earned USD 36.6 million in foreign currency for Turkey in March, with aquatic products and animal products sector leading with USD 9.7 million in exports. Afyon, the capital of natural stone exports, recorded USD 33.7 million in March exports, with the mining sector providing the largest contribution of USD 21 million.