Türkiye's export in September increased by 9.2 percent to $22.6 billion

Export reached $188 billion in the January-September period and $252 billion in the last 12 months.  The chemical substances and products sector maintained its first place in September with exports of 2.9 billion dollars. Automotive ranked second with $2.7 billion and ready-to-wear ranked third with $1.9 billion.

TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe: The increase in unit value per kilogram in export continues. Our unit export value increased by 22 percent compared to September last year to $1.62.

There does not seem to be a problem in Türkiye's energy security. In energy-intensive sectors, our country stands out as a reliable supplier. We expect an increase in demand, especially in sectors such as iron and steel, cement, ceramics, glass, and fertilizer.

Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), which is the only umbrella organization of 100 thousand exporters with 27 sectors and 61 exporters' associations, announced the export data for September in Trabzon with the participation of Trade Minister Mehmet Muş. TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe emphasized that despite the negative climate in the global economy, the Turkish exporter demonstrated a successful performance in September. Mustafa Gültepe said that according to the General Trade System (GTS) records, export in September increased by 9.2 percent to reach $ 22.6 billion, and he said:

“With $22.6 billion, we achieved an all-time high September performance. Our export exceeded 188 billion dollars in 9 months and 252 billion dollars in 12 months. We have broken monthly export records in all of the last 12 months. While 15 of our sectors increased their exports last month, chemicals sector maintained their first place with the effect of developments in global markets. Chemicals sector with exports of $ 2.9 billion were followed by automotive with $ 2.7 billion, ready-to-wear and apparel with $ 1.9 billion, steel with $ 1.7 billion, and electrical and electronics sector with $ 1.3 billion. In September, our cereals, machinery, and fresh fruit and vegetable products sectors realized the highest export in their history. There are also remarkable increases in our automotive, furniture, and jewelry sectors. Last month, one thousand 942 companies joined the export family. These companies exported 114 million dollars.”

THE 5 MOST EXPORTING CITIES ARE ISTANBUL, KOCAELI, BURSA, IZMIR, AND ANKARA

Mustafa Gültepe reported that in September, when 45 cities increased their exports, the top 5 cities with the most exports were listed as Istanbul, Kocaeli, Bursa, İzmir, and Ankara. Stating that Sakarya, Çorum, Konya, and Gaziantep achieved significant export increases, Gültepe said that Trabzon also maintained its stability. Explaining that Trabzon exported 84 million dollars in September, Gültepe said, “We see this beautiful city as an important gate opening to Russia, the Caucasus, and the Turkish Republics with its advantageous location and wide hinterland. Trabzon will target 2 billion dollars in the 100th year of our republic." 

THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER WAS REALIZED TO GERMANY, THE USA AND IRAQ

Gültepe reported that the top three countries to which Türkiye exports the most are Germany, the USA and Iraq. Stating that they recorded export increases of 221 percent to Saudi Arabia, 102 percent to Lebanon and 71 percent to Switzerland in September, Gültepe pointed out that they increased exports in 131 out of 220 countries. Gültepe said, “The increase in unit value per kilogram in exports also continues. Our unit export value increased by 22 percent compared to September last year to $ 1.62.”

LOSS DUE TO PARITY EXCEEDS 10 BILLION DOLLARS

Reminding that the Euro/Dollar parity, which was at the level of 1.15 at the beginning of the year, fell to 0.96 in September, Mustafa Gültepe emphasized that the negative reflection of this situation on exports continued. Stating that the parity-related loss in exports reached 1.8 billion dollars only in September and exceeded 10 billion dollars since the beginning of the year, Gültepe said, “In this critical period, it is especially important for our companies exporting to the Eurozone to make pricing by considering the parity risk.”

IN 2023, TRADE DELEGATION WILL BE ORGANIZED FOR ONE MONTH NEAR COUNTRY, ONE MONTH FAR COUNTRY

In his speech, Mustafa Gültepe also gave information about the trade delegations organized to Romania and Tatarstan last month. Stating that the delegations organized with the participation of 46 people from exporters' associations and company representatives focused on the sectors where Türkiye's competitiveness is high and exports to the region remain relatively low, Gültepe said, 350 representatives from 257 foreign companies participated in our delegations. Our companies have held more than 600 bilateral business meetings. We continue our trade diplomacy without a break. This month we will have delegations to India and the Philippines. In 2023, we will organize trade delegations for one month near country, one month far country.

TÜRKİYE IS A RELIABLE SUPPLIER IN ENERGY-INTENSIVE SECTORS

Gültepe said the following about the energy crisis in the EU, which is Türkiye's largest market, and its possible repercussions:

“First of all, I have to say that, as our President said, there does not seem to be a problem in Türkiye's energy security. In our meetings with our sector presidents, we evaluated the possible repercussions of the energy crisis for our country. In energy-intensive sectors, Türkiye stands out as a reliable supplier. We expect an increase in demand, especially in sectors such as iron and steel, cement, ceramics, glass, and fertilizer. Due to the energy crisis, Europe seems to have put green transformation in the background. However, we have an ambitious goal such as the 'Green Agreement'. Once the crisis is over, Europe will focus much more on this goal. Therefore, as an export family, we have to prepare not only for today, but also for tomorrow. The share of renewable resources in world electricity production is 28 percent, while in Türkiye it is 46 percent. Investments in this field continue rapidly in our country. Another opportunity here exists for our companies working on the tools used in renewable energy production. Europe will allocate significant financial resources to accelerate the transformation process. I believe that our domestic companies will play a critical role both in the transformation of our national energy profile and in the export of these tools.”

Mustafa Gültepe added that they also updated TİM's mission and vision last month and set short, medium and long-term goals in line with their vision to place Türkiye among the top 10 exporting countries.