Chemical Sector Exports Rise Year-on-Year

Chemical industry exports continued to post gains in January 2020, extending the record performance achieved in 2019.According to data from the Istanbul Chemical Substances and Products Exporters Association (İKMİB), chemical sector exports in January 2020 reached USD 1.7 billion, a 10.6% increase compared to January 2019. The chemical sector ranked first among all sectors in January with exports to 199 countries and regions. Adil Pelister, Chairman of the Board of the Istanbul Chemical Substances and Products Exporters Association (İKMİB), commenting on the chemical sector's January export figures, stated: "Our chemical sector achieved a historic record in exports in 2019, delivering a major success. We completed last year as the second-largest exporting sector after the automotive sector, with USD 20.6 billion in exports. The strategic importance of our sector continues to grow. We are acutely aware of the contribution our chemical sector makes to Turkey's economy and are working with all our strength. This year, as İKMİB, we will continue to stand by our exporters with our new projects and initiatives to reach our targets. In this context, we will implement our Chemistry Technology Center, International Chemistry Olympiads, and Chemistry Summit projects. Additionally, through 17 national participation organizations, 1 sectoral trade mission, 7 purchasing missions, workshops, the Research and Development Project Market event, awards ceremony, Turkey Promotion Group (TTG) project activities, trade fair visits, 6 URGE mission organizations, and various training, cooperation and project initiatives, we will continue to support our exporters."

The USD 1.7 billion in exports we achieved in January this year is an indicator of our efforts to reach our targets. Our chemical exports showed a 10.6% increase compared to January of last year.

Meanwhile, chemical exports to the Netherlands increased by 227.2%, while exports to Italy rose by 43.5%. In January 2020, our sector became the second-largest exporting sector on a monthly basis. We will continue to work with all sectors to exceed our 2020 chemical sector export target of USD 22.5 billion. We have 4 uninterrupted years ahead. To make these years as productive as possible for the chemical sector, we are focusing on production and exports. We continue our work without pause to ensure the continued increase in the added value our chemical sector provides to our country, to properly communicate the strategic importance of chemicals, and to increase Turkey's chemical sector's share in world trade," he said.

Italy was the leading export destination in January

Italy was the top export destination in January. Other countries in the top ten following Italy in January were the Netherlands, Germany, Iraq, Belgium, Greece, Egypt, Lebanon, the United States and Spain. Chemical exports to Italy in January 2020 totaled USD 136,054,000. The main exports to Italy in January included mineral fuels, mineral oils and products; plastics and articles thereof; organic chemicals; inorganic chemicals; rubber and rubber articles; fertilizers; and paints, varnishes, inks and related products.

In chemical sub-sectors, exports of "mineral fuels, mineral oils and products" ranked first

In January, exports of mineral fuels, mineral oils and products in the sub-sectors ranked first in chemical exports with USD 555,343,282. Plastics and articles thereof ranked second with exports of USD 484,815,832. Inorganic chemicals exports totaled USD 132,242,402 and ranked third. Other sectors in the top ten following inorganic chemicals were rubber and rubber articles; essential oils, cosmetics and soaps; pharmaceutical products; paints, varnishes, inks and related products; organic chemicals; miscellaneous chemical substances; and washing preparations.