Istanbul Exporters Post $3.75 Billion in Exports

Istanbul exporters increased their exports by 33.3% in the first four months of 2022 compared to the same period of the previous year, with a total export volume of USD 3.75 billion. Istanbul Exporters Associations (İİB), in the January-April period, increased their exports by 33.3% compared to the same period of the previous year, achieving a total export volume of USD 3.75 billion through the seven exporters associations within its structure. Istanbul exporters sold products to 190 country markets in the first four months and accounted for 4.9% of the country's total exports.

Highest Exports to Iraq

In the first four months of the year, the highest value of exports was USD 266 million to Iraq. Poultry, animal products, as well as furniture, paper and forest products were the main items sold to Iraq. Following Iraq, İİB exported the highest volumes to the United States, Norway, Germany and the United Kingdom. Exports to the US included cereals, legumes, oilseeds, furniture, paper and forest products; to Norway, ships and yachts; to Germany, hazelnuts and hazelnut products along with furniture, paper and forest products; and to the UK, furniture, paper and forest products as well as cereals, legumes, oilseeds and their products. By country groups, the region with the highest exports was the Middle East countries with USD 767 million. In April, exports increased by 36.1% compared to the same month of the previous year, with exports exceeding USD 1 billion. The association exported the most to Norway, Iraq and the United States in April. Among the associations within İİB, Istanbul Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association achieved USD 1.31 billion with a 39.7% increase in the first four months of the year compared to the same period of the previous year; Istanbul Cereals, Legumes, Oilseeds and Products Exporters Association (İHBİR) achieved USD 1.055 billion with a 20.4% increase; Ship, Yacht and Services Exporters Association (GYHİB) achieved USD 477 million with a 48.6% increase; Istanbul Fishery and Animal Products Exporters Association (İSHİB) achieved USD 435 million with a 51.7% increase; Istanbul Hazelnut and Products Exporters Association (İFMİB) achieved USD 238 million with a 15.2% increase; Istanbul Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association achieved USD 164 million with a 52.7% increase; Istanbul Dried Fruits and Products Exporters Association (KUMİB) achieved USD 89 million in exports. Istanbul Exporters Associations Coordinator Chairman Müjdat Sezer stated: "The association closed the first four months of the year with export growth compared to the same period of 2021, becoming the second association among other general secretariats to achieve the highest export increase. In April, we organized online discussions and training sessions for our exporters. The UR-GE projects created by our associations for their sectors continue at full speed. In April, we conducted training sessions for our 'Turkish Animal Pro' UR-GE project. Following this, we are planning overseas marketing activities targeting China. We have had a successful first four months. I congratulate all our exporters who contributed to our export increase. We expect to complete the first half of the year with continued export growth," he said.