Industrial Sector Exports Rise 87%

Industrial exports from sectors within Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri rose 87 percent in May to USD 712 million from USD 380 million. The mining sector advanced 54 percent, increasing exports from USD 68 million in May 2020 to USD 94.04 million.

Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri Coordinator Chairman Jak Eskinazi stated that when the mining sector is added to the USD 712 million industrial exports from EİB, Germany led with USD 90 million, followed by the United States with USD 70 million and the United Kingdom with USD 60 million.

  "The sectors within our union realized USD 274 million of the USD 712 million export figure. The region's industrial exports of USD 438 million, representing 60 percent, are conducted by sectors without unions at EİB. Looking at these figures, we are once again validated in our call for establishing unions in these sectors within EİB. We can best solve company problems within our organization and provide the training support they need. Our initiatives will continue regarding the establishment of new export unions within EİB, with priority given to the sectors of "Chemicals," "Electrical-Electronics," "Cement, Ceramics and Clay Products," "Automotive Supply Industry," "Machinery," and "Air Conditioning Industry." Industrial exports comprised USD 154 million in chemical substances and products, USD 61.8 million in the automotive industry, USD 61 million in the air conditioning industry, USD 60 million in electrical-electronics, USD 49.4 million in machinery and components, USD 35.8 million in cement, glass, ceramics and clay products, USD 6.8 million in carpets, defense and aviation industries, USD 4.9 million, and USD 2.5 million in ship and yacht exports.

Fifth record from textile sector

The Ege Textile and Raw Materials Exporters' Union, which broke export growth records in the first four months of 2021, recorded its fifth record in May. ETHİB increased May exports 223 percent from USD 11 million to USD 35.7 million. The textile sector, experiencing nearly 100 percent export growth each month, is advancing toward a year-end target of USD 350 million.  

Iron sector export growth reached 73 percent

Among the 12 export unions under Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri, the highest exporter was the Ege Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters' Union with USD 138 million. EDDMİB achieved a 73 percent increase in May exports. Ege Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters' Union Chairman Yalçın Ertan stated that while they had set an export target of USD 1.4 billion at the beginning of 2021, thanks to strong performance in the first five months, their exports over the past 12 months have risen to USD 1.5 billion, and if conditions continue as they are, they will easily exceed their export targets. "The iron and non-ferrous metals sector, along with steel products, is the sector generating the most exports nationwide in May, and simultaneously holds the position of the union with the highest exports in the Aegean Region. Being among the sectors earning the most foreign currency for our region and country is a matter of pride for us. We also have steady increasing momentum in exports from the Aegean Region. As a sector, there have been no disruptions in orders since the start of the year, and steel users concerned about further increases in raw material prices are raising their purchases to maintain adequate stocks; we have also already made our export connections for the coming 2-3 months ahead."  

Mining sector reached USD 1 billion target

The Ege Mining Exporters' Union, which faced difficult times in 2020 due to the pandemic, has been adding new successes to its record each month in 2021 with normalization occurring worldwide. Ege Mining Exporters' Union Chairman Mevlüt Kaya stated, "In May, we increased our exports by 38 percent to USD 94.04 million. Over the past 12 months, with an 11 percent increase, we reached USD 1.005 billion in exports. As of the end of May, we have achieved our USD 1 billion target set for 2021. Our natural stone exporters, who are members of the Ege Mining Exporters' Union and realize 73 percent of their exports from processed natural stone products, deserve every recognition. There is a USD 20 billion market in the global mining sector. Increasing our share of this market is not only a matter of selling more product. Beyond that, we must sell value-added products. We are working day and night on this."  

59 percent growth in ready-made garment exports

The Ege Ready-Made Clothing and Apparel Exporters' Union regained its former glory in exports with normalization in Europe, its largest export market. Ege Ready-Made Clothing and Apparel Exporters' Union Chairman Burak Sertbaş said, "In March we experienced 37 percent growth, and in April, which saw one of the sharpest declines in 2020, we experienced 148 percent growth this year. Our exports progressed 59 percent in May and reached USD 90.619 million. Over the past 12 months, we managed to earn USD 1.442 billion in foreign currency for Turkey. We are very close to reaching our 2021 export target of USD 1.5 billion. We are traditionally Turkey's sector with by far the largest foreign trade surplus. In 2020, by achieving approximately USD 17 billion in exports, we earned substantial foreign currency for our country amid the current economic environment. This level of performance as a sector encourages us for the future."  

Record 76 percent growth in leather and leather goods

The Ege Leather and Leather Goods Exporters' Union increased exports 76 percent to USD 9.74 million. The leather and leather goods sector, which reached USD 134 million in exports over the past 12 months, is targeting USD 160 million by year-end. Ege Leather and Leather Goods Exporters' Union Chairman Erkan Zandar said, "We forecast that our sector's exports will be around USD 200 million in 2023. Our production quality and product quality are at world standards. We have begun exporting to semi-finished product importing countries such as China and India. We expect rapid momentum after May. We are seeing stores with our own brands in regions such as Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria. These figures will increase as our brand recognition grows. European brands in particular are seeking Turkish partners related to the footwear sector. The results of this search will become clear in September."  

Which countries have the highest sectoral exports?

• Steel: United Kingdom, Germany, and Colombia,
• Iron and non-ferrous metals: Germany, Italy, Israel,
• Cement, glass, ceramics and clay products: United States, United Kingdom, Germany,
• Leather and leather goods: Germany, United Kingdom, United States,
• Electrical-electronics: Germany, France, Netherlands,
• Ships and yachts: Austria and Netherlands,
• Carpets: United States,
• Air conditioning industry: Germany, Italy, and France
• Chemical substances and products: Italy, United Kingdom, Belgium,
• Ready-made clothing and apparel: Germany, Spain, United Kingdom,
• Mining: United States, China, Spain,
• Machinery and components: United States, Germany, Ukraine,
• Defense and aviation industries: United States, United Kingdom,
• Vehicles and supply industries: Germany, Italy, France,
• Textile and raw materials: Pakistan, China, and Vietnam are among the leading countries.