IIB Achieves Exports of $2.655 Billion

Istanbul Exporters Generated USD 2.655 Billion in Exports Istanbul exporters achieved a total of USD 2.655 billion in exports in the first quarter of the year, representing a 32.3% increase compared to the same period of the previous year. Istanbul Exporter Associations (İİB), in the January-March period of the first quarter, increased their exports by 32.3% compared to the same period of the previous year, achieving a total of USD 2.655 billion in exports through the seven exporter associations within its structure. The association became the third among other general secretariats with the highest export growth. Istanbul exporters sold products to 186 country markets in the first three months, and their share in national exports was 4.8%.

Largest Exports to Iraq

The association achieved its highest exports by value in the first quarter to Iraq with USD 195 million. Poultry, animal products and furniture, paper and forest products were sold most to Iraq. Following Iraq, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Libya received the highest value exports. In exports to the USA, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, furniture, paper, forest products; to Germany, hazelnuts and their products as well as furniture, paper and forest products; to the United Kingdom, furniture, paper and forest products as well as cereals, pulses, oilseeds and their products; and to Libya, furniture, paper and forest products as well as cereals, pulses, oilseeds and their products stood out. Based on country groups, the region with the highest exports by the association was the European Union (EU) countries with USD 573 million. The Istanbul Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association within the association achieved USD 931 million with a 38.1% increase compared to the same period of the previous year in the first quarter; the Istanbul Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds and Their Products Exporters Association (İHBİR) achieved USD 771.5 million with a 20% increase; the Istanbul Aquatic Products and Animal Products Exporters Association (İSHİB) achieved USD 315 million with a 56.7% increase; the Ships, Yachts and Services Exporters Association (GYHİB) achieved USD 278 million with a 31.8% increase; the Istanbul Hazelnut and Products Exporters Association (İFMİB) achieved USD 194.5 million with a 27.3% increase; the Istanbul Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association achieved USD 123 million with a 51.2% increase; the Istanbul Dried Fruit and Products Exporters Association (KUMİB) achieved USD 69.3 million with a 13% increase.

"We Expanded Further in Our Markets with the Highest Exports"

Istanbul Exporter Associations Coordinator Chairman Müjdat Sezer stated, "The associations closed the first quarter of the year with export growth compared to the same period of 2021, becoming the third association with the highest export growth among other general secretariats. In the first quarter, we expanded further in our markets with the highest exports. Our exports to Iraq increased by 37%, to the USA by 19.6%, and to Germany by 15.7% compared to the same period of the previous year. We are continuing our consistent export growth. Last month, we organized widely attended specialized virtual buying delegations, online discussions and trainings for our exporters."