Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) Announces August Export Figures

Turkey's Exporters Council (TİM) released August export figures. Turkey's exports totalled USD 12.463 billion in August 2020. Eight sectors reached their highest-ever August export levels, while exports to 85 countries increased by USD 516 million. A total of 14 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the Netherlands, achieved exports across all sectors. TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle stated, "Despite these challenging conditions, our exporters achieved exports at a level very close to August of last year. When viewed through the global trade window, Turkey's exports show a positive trajectory compared to most countries. We are emerging step by step, strengthened from the pandemic storm sweeping the world in waves. Because we believe that the future is bright, the future is exports! Turkey will continue to lead in exports and growth in this new era with its strong investment, production and export infrastructure." Turkey's Exporters Council (TİM) released provisional foreign trade data for August. According to the General Trade System (GTS), exports in August fell 5.7% year-on-year to USD 12.463 billion compared to August of the previous year. TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, evaluating recent developments in global trade, said: "We are in a period where different variables are affecting global trade. International organisations still maintain expectations that 2020 will see the largest contraction since the end of World War II. The World Trade Organization announced that global merchandise trade fell to record levels in the second quarter of the year. The merchandise trade barometer, which measures the pulse of global trade, declined to 84.5 points. In August, the Covid-19 pandemic continued to spread without slowing. In the month behind us, the total number of confirmed cases worldwide exceeded 25.5 million. In just the last month, this figure recorded an increase of nearly 50%. This uncertainty created by the increase in case numbers in our markets is causing fluctuations in our exports."

"We set an example for the world"

Gülle, noting that in their projections they foresaw such and similar contractions in international trade under the new normal, continued: "Despite these challenging conditions, our exporters achieved exports at a level very close to August of last year. Our export figures over the last three months following normalisation demonstrate how rapidly we have adapted to the needs of the new era. I sincerely congratulate each member of our export family for the dedicated work they have shown during this period. Projects put forward with great vision including 'Contactless Exports' and 'Alternative Logistics Routes and Transportation Methods Projects' have set an example for the entire world. The contribution of our government's pandemic response efforts to the successes of this three-month period in which we have the wind at our backs is very significant. As Turkey's single-roof export organisation, the Turkey's Exporters Council, we extend our gratitude to our Esteemed President, our Honourable Minister of Trade and our Honourable Ministers of Treasury and Finance for all these important projects and efforts." "Our exports are following a positive trajectory compared to most countries" Stating that Turkey's economy reached growth figures exceeding expectations in the first two quarters of 2020, Gülle said: "In the first quarter of 2020, our country achieved the highest growth rate among both OECD and G-20 countries with a growth rate of 4.5%. Second quarter data, as the pandemic's impact increased progressively, also show that Turkey is performing positively compared to many countries. In the second quarter of this year; the US recorded a 31.7% contraction, the United Kingdom 22.8%, Spain 22.2%, France 19.2%, and EU countries on average 14.1%. During the same period, our economy faced a 9.9% contraction while performing above expectations. All this data demonstrates the success of our country's production and export-based growth model. When viewed through the global trade window, Turkey's exports show a positive trajectory compared to most countries. When we examine countries' exports in the first seven months of the year; we see that Norway's exports fell 24%, India's exports fell 22%, and Japan's exports fell 16%. We are emerging step by step, strengthened from the pandemic storm sweeping the world in waves. Because we believe that the future is bright, the future is exports! Turkey will continue to lead in exports and growth in this new era with its strong investment, production and export infrastructure," he continued.

"First virtual trade delegation for women exporters on 21 September"

Gülle described TİM's activities during the pandemic period as follows: "2020 was a year in which we transferred our operations to virtual channels due to the pandemic's impact. We adapted to the new normal quite rapidly. We successfully completed virtual trade delegations coordinated by our Ministry in 8 countries. In line with requests from our exporters, we will further increase the number of our virtual trade delegations in the coming period. We added new ones this month to our virtual trade delegations conducted in coordination with our Ministry of Trade. With the participation of many sector representatives, exporters signed new collaborations in the German and Colombia & Mexico markets. Our Virtual Trade Delegations will not be limited to these countries and as TİM, with our 95 thousand export family members, we will continue our 'New Generation Trade Diplomacy' activities uninterruptedly in target markets. With the participation of our Women's Council, we will set another precedent as TİM. Between 21 September and 2 October, we will conduct a Chile, Peru, Colombia, Mexico Virtual General Trade Delegation, which is the first virtual trade delegation for our women exporters and is open to the participation of all sectors. With this delegation, we aim to further increase the number of our women exporters and raise export volumes."

Eight sectors reached record August export levels

TİM Chairman Gülle, providing details on August exports, shared the following information: "The Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Cereals and Processed Fruits and Vegetables sectors showed their best eight-month performance in their history despite the pandemic. Compared to the same period in 2019; the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables sector achieved USD 1.5 billion in exports with a 23.8% increase, the Cereals sector achieved USD 4.6 billion in exports with a 7.8% increase, and the Processed Fruits and Vegetables sector achieved USD 1 billion in exports with a 5.3% increase. Additionally, the Cement Glass Ceramics and Clay Products, Carpets, Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds and Products, Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Furniture, Paper and Forest Products, Defence and Aerospace Industry, Ornamental Plants and Products and Fresh Fruits and Vegetables sectors reached their highest-ever August export figures."

Exports to 85 countries increased by USD 516 million

Despite the global trade downturn, Turkey managed to increase exports to 85 countries by USD 516 million in August. In 51 of these 85 countries, the increase exceeded 10%, while in 22 countries it exceeded 50%. Among these countries, the USA stood out with a USD 64.2 million export increase compared to August of the previous year, Belgium with a USD 59.3 million export increase and Israel with a USD 35.7 million export increase. Respiratory equipment exports surged 4097% Covid-19 product exports maintained momentum in August. Compared to the same month last year; Respiratory Equipment increased 4097%, Masks and Protective Gowns 641%, Diagnostic Kits 178%, and Disinfectant exports 47%. Total Medical Product exports reached USD 76 million with a 312% increase. In the first eight months of the year, total medical product exports reached USD 530 million, showing a 208% increase compared to the first eight months of 2019. 1,307 firms joined the export family in August In August, 1,307 firms joined the export family. These newly exporting firms achieved USD 110.019 million in exports in August. At the firm level, a total of 37,475 firms conducted exports in August. Apparel sector took the lead The Apparel sector led August with USD 1.546 billion in exports, followed by the Automotive sector with USD 1.545 billion and Chemical Substances with USD 1.375 billion. The strongest performers in August were the Hazelnut and Products sector reaching USD 92.8 million with a 39.3% increase, Tobacco reaching USD 71.3 million with a 36.1% increase, and Fresh Fruits and Vegetables sector reaching USD 130.2 million with an 18.6% increase. All sectors exported to 14 countries In August, exporters managed to fly Turkey's flag in 207 countries. The top 3 countries for exports were Germany with USD 1.210 billion, the United Kingdom with USD 989.2 million and the USA with USD 739.6 million. The top 10 countries accounted for 50% of exports, while the top 20 countries accounted for 67.3%. Exporters managed to export all sectors to a total of 14 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the Netherlands. The European Union's share of exports, the largest market, fell to 41.3% with a volume of USD 5.15 billion.

Most notable increase seen in Kastamonu

Looking at provincial exports; 51 provinces increased their exports in August. The top 3 provinces for exports were Istanbul with USD 5.158 billion, Bursa with USD 863 million and Kocaeli with USD 778 million. The most notable increases occurred in; Kastamonu achieving USD 21 million in exports with a 514% increase, Adıyaman reaching USD 12 million with a 132% increase and Ordu achieving USD 21 million in exports with a 73% increase. While Machinery sector exports in Mardin increased 14-fold, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables sector exports in Şırnak increased 270%, and Defence and Aerospace Industry exports in Konya increased 263%. Exports to 171 countries in Turkish Lira During the month, exports totalling TRY 3.703 billion were made to 171 countries. 6,114 firms preferred the Turkish Lira in export transactions. Positive parity impact was USD 331.8 million Exports on a volume basis in August decreased 0.2% compared to the same month last year, reaching 11.7 million tonnes. Finally, the positive effect of the Euro-Dollar parity in August was USD 331.848 million.