Turkish Exporters Assembly Announces April Export Figures

Turkey Exporters Assembly (TİM) released provisional foreign trade data for April. Accordingly, exports in April fell 41.4 percent to USD 8 billion 993 million according to the General Trade System (GTS). Exports over the last 12 months declined 3.7 percent to reach USD 172 billion 706 million.   Noting that the Covid-19 pandemic has altered global growth and trade projections, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle stated: "While our export figures point to a decline in April, we would first like to share the many acts of heroism behind these numbers. We have activated action plans to address the effects of contracting international trade during the Covid-19 process, to compensate for export losses, and to take a stronger position in the new world order that will emerge at the end of this process. Let us not forget that our export targets are greater than Covid-19.

Our country's exports will emerge from this difficult period stronger and with their head held high. We will continue our steady march toward the goal of 'Turkey with Foreign Trade Surplus' without ever losing heart." he said.

Referring to action plans activated for exporters during the Covid-19 process, Gülle stated that within this scope they will continue to evaluate which products and sectors will create opportunities in the post-pandemic period through "TİM Export Talks" panels held online with ambassadors of China, the Netherlands and the United States. Highlighting that 40 problems and demands conveyed to TİM from exporter associations were quickly addressed in the Economic Stability Shield package and that obstacles to exports were removed through the Trade Ministry's 'Hassle-Free Export' application, Gülle said, "As Turkey Exporters Assembly, we have also begun work on organizing virtual trade delegations to ensure that our exporters are not further adversely affected by this process within the scope of 'Next-generation trade diplomacy' activities. Based on our analyses, following consultations with trade advisers and attachés of 28 target and priority countries, we have determined which countries we will conduct delegations with. We are starting our virtual trade delegations from the beginning of May with Kenya, Uzbekistan, South Korea and India." he said. Noting that agricultural sectors are among the sectors least affected by the demand shocks created by the global pandemic, Gülle stated: "Some of these sectors even managed to increase their April exports. This period is particularly important in reminding us how strategic food and medical products are as sectors. It has demonstrated how critical a position our country holds in the supply chain and that we not only meet our own needs in these sectors but have the capacity to provide medical aid to many countries worldwide. In the post-pandemic period, Turkey will reap the fruits of the helping hand extended to countries at the peak of the pandemic today and the confidence provided in terms of supply." he said.

Mask production approaches target

Recalling that they mobilized factories, the indispensable force of exports, saying "We are self-sufficient" to contribute to Turkey's fight against the virus, particularly among healthcare workers, Gülle noted: "In the Production Mobilization effort undertaken with all our exporter associations across the country, we started with daily production of 1 million masks and, fortunately for us, by expanding our current efforts we have managed to reach a capacity of over 15 million today. However, we do not consider this sufficient, and with the vast experience and production capabilities of our manufacturing exporters, we always focus on doing better for our country. We are close to our goal of bringing our production capacity to 50 million daily, 1.5 billion on a monthly basis. Of course, our efforts are not limited to the national level. To demonstrate that Turkey is an important producer and supplier globally in all hygiene products and mask production, as the Turkey Promotion Group we are sending Turkish hygiene kits to CEOs of major buyer groups abroad, to official institutions of countries with which we cooperate, to opinion leaders and media representatives." he said. Commenting on details regarding April exports, TİM Chairman Gülle stated: "I am pleased to report that as a result of awareness about our exports, which are firmly established as an indispensable pillar for the present and future of Turkey's economy, and of the SME export mobilization training we conduct throughout our country as TİM, 919 new companies joined the export family in April. These companies newly starting exports realized USD 44.4 million in exports in April. Looking at it on a company basis, a total of 29,761 companies exported in April."

Exports increased by USD 163 million

Despite the negative global trade picture, Turkey managed to increase its exports to 53 countries by USD 163 million in April. In 46 of these 53 countries, the increase exceeded 10 percent, and in 32 countries it exceeded 50 percent. Among these countries, South Korea stood out with USD 41.1 million in export growth compared to April of the previous year, Turkmenistan with USD 18 million in export growth and Hong Kong with USD 14.8 million in export growth.

Chemicals led April exports

The leader in April was the Chemicals sector with USD 1 billion 285 million in exports. It was followed by Steel with USD 903 million 166 thousand and Electrical Electronics sectors with USD 620 million 608 thousand. Compared to the same month of the previous year, there was a 27.3 percent decline in the Chemicals sector, 26.9 percent in Steel and 33.8 percent in Electrical Electronics. The strongest performers in April were Hazelnuts and Products reaching USD 198 million with 46.5 percent growth, Fruit and Vegetable Products reaching USD 144 million with 15.2 percent growth and Fresh Fruits and Vegetables realizing USD 119 million in exports with 5.1 percent growth.

EU's share of exports declined

In April, exporters managed to wave Turkey's flag in 205 countries and regions. The top 3 countries for exports were Germany with USD 862 million, the United States with USD 606 million and Iraq with USD 564 million. While the top 10 countries accounted for 45.7 percent of exports, this share rose to 65.5 percent in the top 20 countries. A total of 12 countries, including the United States, Germany, Italy and Iraq, managed to export from all sectors. The European Union, the largest market, saw its share of exports decline to 41.6 percent with a volume of USD 3.7 billion.

Export growth occurred in Kırıkkale

Looking at exports by province, 17 provinces increased their exports in April. The top 3 provinces by exports were Istanbul with USD 3 billion 662 million, Izmir with USD 583.4 million and Ankara with USD 551.9 million respectively. The most notable increases occurred in Kırıkkale with 76 percent growth reaching USD 1.3 million in exports, Kastamonu reaching USD 11.6 million with 61 percent growth and Erzincan with 38 percent growth reaching USD 2.3 million in exports. While the Ready-made Clothing sector in Zonguldak increased its exports 77-fold, the Hazelnut sector in Düzce increased its exports 32-fold. The Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals sector in Kastamonu increased its exports 23-fold, and the Machinery sector in Mardin increased its exports 15-fold.

TRY 3 billion in exports conducted during April

During the month, exports worth TRY 3 billion were realized to 168 countries. 4,152 companies preferred the Turkish Lira in export transactions.

Negative parity effect was USD 149.4 million

Export volume in April declined 12.5 percent to 11 million tons compared to the same month of the previous year. Finally, the euro-dollar parity effect in April was negatively USD 149.4 million.