Chemical Exports Reach $11.29 Billion in Eight Months

Turkey's chemical industry, one of the locomotive sectors of exports, achieved eight-month exports in 2018 of USD 11.289 billion, a 6.59% increase compared to the same period in 2017. The countries with the highest exports during this period were Germany, USA, Egypt, Iraq, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Greece and China. In August, the top ten countries for chemical exports were Egypt, Germany, Iraq, United Kingdom, Spain, Netherlands, China, Italy, Greece and India, while the sector's August exports reached USD 1.380 billion.

Egypt Was the Leading Export Destination in August

Egypt was the top export destination in August. Chemical exports to Egypt were USD 44.785 million in August 2017, while in August 2018 they reached USD 78.386 million with a 75.03% increase. During the eight-month period of 2018, mineral fuels, mineral oils and products, photography and cinematography products, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, paints, varnishes, inks and preparations, miscellaneous chemical substances, washing preparations and gunpowder, explosives and derivatives were exported most to Egypt. Other countries in the top ten after Egypt were; Germany, Iraq, United Kingdom, Spain, Netherlands, China, Italy, Greece and India.

Plastics and Plastic Products Dominated Chemical Sub-Sectors Exports

In sub-sectors, plastics and plastic products exports continue to be the driving force of chemical exports. In August, plastics and plastic products, which recorded the highest exports, ranked first with USD 442.267 million in exports. Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products ranked second with USD 298.546 million in exports, while inorganic chemicals exports ranked third with USD 149.881 million. Following inorganic chemicals, other sectors in the top ten were; 'rubber and rubber products', 'essential oils, cosmetics and soaps', 'organic chemicals', 'pharmaceutical products', 'paints, varnishes, inks and preparations', 'miscellaneous chemical substances', and 'washing preparations'. Adil Pelister, Chairman of the Board of the Istanbul Chemically Produced Goods and Products Exporters Association (İKMİB), evaluating the chemical sector's August performance, noted that August exports of the chemical industry, which ranks third among the most exporting sectors, decreased 5.86% compared to August of the previous year, reaching USD 1.380 billion. Nevertheless, he stated that the eight-month performance reached USD 11.289 billion with a 6.59% increase compared to the same period in 2017. Stating that the August exports showed a decrease due to the effect of currency increase, holiday periods and the 30 August week when companies and factories used block leave, Pelister said they expect exports to increase with the latest developments in foreign trade and new incentives and support provided by the government to SMEs.

Emphasizing that companies need to turn to new markets, Pelister said: "Recently, many incentives are being offered to our companies.

İKMİB, together with our umbrella organization TİM, has decided to provide our resources to Eximbank to reduce potential difficulties that exporters may face in accessing financing, diversify and increase financial resources. Moreover, as announced by Commerce Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, Turkish Eximbank will provide a total of USD 46 billion in financing support to our exporters by year-end. By utilizing all these incentives to turn to different markets and invest in R&D, it is of great importance for increasing our exports. In this context, our national participation organizations such as international fairs and commercial delegations organized by İKMİB provide great benefits to our companies in terms of familiarizing themselves with new products and markets."

Chemical Sector Exports for June 2018

Top Countries for Chemical Exports in June 2018

Chemical Exports on a Monthly Basis in 2018

  Mining Sector Outlook Analysis by Product CategoryNatural Stone Block marble-travertine exports, which accounted for the largest share at 54.3% in the natural stone sector exports in 2017, increased 28.98% in volume and 27.85% in value compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching USD 1.11 billion equivalent to 5.75 million tons. Among the countries with the highest block marble-travertine exports, China ranked first with USD 943 million (29.6% increase); followed by India with USD 81.86 million (57.89% increase) and Italy with USD 9.69 million (11.92% decrease). During the said period, processed natural stone exports, which held the second largest group with a 45.6% share in natural stone sector exports, increased 6.15% in volume and decreased 0.01% in value, reaching USD 934.3 million equivalent to 2.18 million tons. In the processed marble group, the USA ranks first in export rankings (USD 191.3 million, 0.92% increase), Saudi Arabia second (USD 95.87 million, 13.15% decrease) and Iraq third (USD 60.84 million, 8.29% decrease). Our processed travertine exports in 2017 reached USD 215.97 million equivalent to 539.88 thousand tons. Compared to the same period of the previous year, this product exports recorded a 23.84% increase in volume and 8.16% in value. The United States' imports of this product group, which is its most important market at USD 95.74 million, increased 28.04% in volume and 7.67% in value. This country is followed by France with USD 30.8 million and Australia with USD 16.43 million. Other important natural stone product groups exported in 2017 were "Other Processed Construction Stones, Processed Granite, Block Granite and Tiles, Granules, Chips and Powder from Natural Stones".

Zinc Ores

Our zinc ore exports in 2017 increased 79.56% in volume and 105.76% in value compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching USD 390.64 million equivalent to 762.1 thousand tons. In our zinc ore exports, Belgium ranked first with USD 189.2 million (115.2% increase), followed by Iran with USD 72.9 million (179.2% increase) and Spain with USD 44.5 million (219.5% increase). Other important countries in our zinc ore exports are Japan, South Korea, China and Namibia.

Chart 10: Our Zinc Ore Exports Over the Last 5 Years (1,000 USD)

Chromium Ores

Our chromium ore exports in 2017 increased 12.47% in volume and 40.43% in value compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching USD 344.26 million equivalent to 1.37 million tons. Our exports to the People's Republic of China, which holds the largest share in our chromium ore exports, increased 1.22% in volume and 25.63% in value, reaching USD 257.5 million equivalent to 1 million tons. Other important countries in our chromium ore exports are Sweden, Belgium, Indonesia and Ukraine.

Chart 7: Our Chromium Ore Exports Over the Last 5 Years (1,000 USD)

Natural Borates and Concentrates

Our natural borates and concentrates exports reached USD 265.5 million in 2017, showing a 16.84% increase in value compared to the previous year. The People's Republic of China ranks first with USD 128.6 million (23.16% increase), the United States second with USD 33.4 million (34% increase), and India third with USD 14.5 million (13.9% increase).

Chart 8: Our Natural Borates and Concentrates Exports Over the Last 5 Years (1,000 USD)

Copper Ores

Our copper ore exports increased 1.69% in volume and 30.24% in value in 2017 compared to the previous year, reaching USD 237.4 million equivalent to 248.7 thousand tons. In our copper ore exports, Bulgaria ranked first with USD 124.1 million (146.78% increase), followed by China with USD 69.2 million (11.74% decrease) and Sweden with USD 29.2 million (14.81% increase).

Chart 11: Our Copper Ore Exports Over the Last 5 Years (1,000 USD)

Ferrochrome

Our ferrochrome exports in 2017 recorded a 4.6% decrease in volume and a 24.1% increase in value compared to the previous year, reaching USD 235.6 million equivalent to 124.5 thousand tons. The USA (USD 56.1 million, 31% increase), Italy (USD 34.4 million, 55% increase), and the Netherlands (USD 30.5 million, 41.5% increase) were the leading countries for our ferrochrome exports, while Sweden, Belgium, China and India were other important markets.

Chart 9: Our Ferrochrome Exports Over the Last 5 Years (1,000 USD)

Lead Ores

Our lead ore exports increased 16% in volume and 50% in value in 2017 compared to the previous year, reaching USD 177.6 million equivalent to 124.8 thousand tons. Exports to China, the sector's most important market, were USD 109 million (69.1% increase), to South Korea USD 49.4 million, and to Italy USD 13.4 million.

Chart 14: Our Lead Ore Exports Over the Last 5 Years (1,000 USD)

Feldspar

Our feldspar exports reached USD 176 million equivalent to 6.4 million tons in 2017, showing a 16.8% increase in volume and a 14.7% increase in value compared to the previous year. Italy was our most important country for feldspar exports in 2017 with an import level of USD 62.8 million, showing a 7.6% increase in value, while Spain received USD 48.1 million (44.7% increase) and the Russian Federation received USD 7.9 million (7.3% decrease) in feldspar exports.

Chart 12: Our Feldspar Exports Over the Last 5 Years (1,000 USD)

Precious Metal Ores(Gold, Silver, Platinum)

Our precious metal ore exports recorded a 13.5% increase in volume and a 1.5% decrease in value in 2017 compared to the previous year, reaching USD 124.7 million equivalent to 59.7 thousand tons. Exports to China, the sector's most important market, reached USD 124.6 million (1.5% decrease).

Chart 13: Our Precious Metal Ore Exports Over the Last 5 Years (1,000 USD)

Magnesite

Our magnesite exports increased 24.8% in volume and 10% in value in 2017, reaching USD 101.1 million equivalent to 398.6 thousand tons. Exports to Austria, the sector's most important market, reached USD 33.6 million (7.3% decrease), to the USA USD 12.2 million (201.3% increase) and to India USD 10.7 million (112.6% increase).

Chart 15: Our Magnesite Exports Over the Last 5 Years (1,000 USD)

Quartz, Quartzite

In 2017, our quartz and quartzite exports increased 10.8% in volume and 11.7% in value compared to the previous year, reaching USD 76.2 million equivalent to 504.2 thousand tons. Israel (USD 22.5 million, 10% decrease), Spain (USD 16.8 million, 24% increase), and the USA (USD 16.6 million, 31% increase) were the leading countries for our quartz and quartzite exports.

Chart 16: Our Quartz, Quartzite Exports Over the Last 5 Years (1,000 USD)

Bentonite

Our bentonite exports increased 10.3% in volume and 8.6% in value, ending the year at 595.1 thousand tons and USD 64.6 million. The Netherlands (USD 20.7 million, 24.5% increase), Italy (USD 6.1 million, 3.8% decrease) and France (USD 4.3 million, 47.5% increase) were the leading countries for our bentonite exports.

Chart 17: Our Bentonite Exports Over the Last 5 Years (1,000 USD)

Natural and Artificial Abrasive Powder, Rubber

Our natural and artificial abrasive powder and rubber exports increased 20.5% in volume and 21.5% in value, ending the year at 9.2 thousand tons and USD 54.6 million. The USA (USD 6 million, 0.2% increase), Germany (USD 5.8 million, 9.5% increase) and Italy (USD 4.3 million, 18.3% increase) were the leading countries for our natural and artificial abrasive powder and rubber exports.

Chart 18: Our Natural and Artificial Abrasive Powder and Rubber Exports Over the Last 5 Years (1,000 USD)

Gypsum Stone, Gypsum Our gypsum stone exports in 2017 increased 30.9% in volume and 20.6% in value compared to the previous year, reaching USD 45.2 million equivalent to 744.8 thousand tons. Nigeria (USD 13.2 million, 32.2% increase), the Russian Federation (USD 6.7 million, 24.6% increase), and Georgia (USD 4.9 million, 6.6% increase) were the leading countries and regions for our gypsum stone exports.

Chart 19: Our Gypsum Stone and Gypsum Exports Over the Last 5 Years (1,000 USD)