Chemical Industry: US Tops April Exports

According to data from İKMİB (Istanbul Chemical Substances and Products Exporters Association); chemical exports in April increased by 10.84 percent compared to April 2017, reaching USD 1 billion 353 million. In the ranking of countries with the highest exports in April, the United States ranked first with chemical export figures of USD 94 million 185 thousand. Chemical industry exports, Turkey's third-largest exporting sector, continue to rise. With the United States, Germany and Iraq leading in April chemical exports, the sector's April exports reached USD 1 billion 353 million.

United States Leads in April Exports

The United States was the leading export destination in April. Chemical exports to the United States were USD 66 million 464 thousand in March 2018, rising by 41.7 percent to USD 94 million 185 thousand in April. Compared to April 2017, this represents an increase of 42.89 percent. Other countries in the top ten for sector exports after the United States were; Germany, Iraq, Egypt, Italy, United Kingdom, Spain, China, Russia and the Netherlands.

Plastics and Products Maintain Export Leadership

In sub-sectors, plastics and products exports continue to be the driving force of chemical exports. Plastics and products, which achieved the highest exports in April, ranked first with exports of USD 495 million 546 thousand 236. Mineral fuels, oils and products ranked second with exports of USD 179 million 993 thousand 677, while inorganic chemicals exports ranked third with USD 162 million 893 thousand 890. Other sectors ranking in the top ten following inorganic chemicals were; "rubber and rubber goods," "pharmaceutical products," "soaps and washing preparations," "paints, varnishes, inks and preparations," "essential oils, cosmetics," "miscellaneous chemical substances" and "organic chemicals." Looking at the sector's four-month export performance, exports in the January-April period reached USD 5 billion 540 million with a 3.92 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous year. The countries with the highest exports during this period were; Germany, Spain, United States, Iraq, Egypt, Italy, Netherlands, Iran, United Kingdom and Greece. Adil Pelister, Chairman of the Board of Management of İKMİB (Istanbul Chemical Substances and Products Exporters Association), evaluating the chemical sector's April performance, stated: "Chemical sector exports continue to grow. In April 2018, we achieved chemical exports of USD 1 billion 353 million, a 10.84 percent increase compared to April of the previous year. In the first four months of 2018, our exports reached USD 5 billion 540 million. In the chemical sector this month, we achieved the highest exports to the United States. Besides the United States, the other countries ranking in the top three were Germany and Iraq. We will continue to support our companies with innovative projects that our sector needs. Together with our exporting companies, we will advance our chemical sector further and ensure that our sector rises to higher ranks in the country's exports," he said.

Countries with the Most Chemical Exports in April 2018 2018 April Countries with the Most Chemical Exports

2018 Chemical Exports on a Monthly Basis 2018 Chemical Export on a Monthly Basis

2018 April Chemical Industry Exports 2018 April Chemical Industry Export