TİM: Highest Export Figure Reached During Pandemic

The Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) released July export figures. Turkey's exports reached USD 15.012 billion in July 2020, the highest monthly figure during the pandemic period. July exports showed a 11.5% increase compared to the previous month. 1,641 companies joined the export family, while exports to 77 countries since the start of the pandemic reached their highest level, and 16 sectors achieved their highest monthly exports.

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle stated, "As the export family, we said in March that this was not a day of despair, we expressed in April that our targets were greater than Covid-19, in May our expectations were beyond normal, and in June, as in the past, we would succeed today. Our July exports represent the highest monthly export figure since the pandemic was announced. Turkish exporters knew how to turn the game in their favor in a very short time. We united in the pandemic, now it is time to take flight," he said.

The Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) released provisional foreign trade data for July. According to the General Trade System (GTS), exports in July decreased by 5.8% to USD 15.012 billion compared to July of the previous year due to the working day difference brought by the holiday break. The increase compared to June was 11.5%. The last 12 months of exports were realized at USD 166.6 billion with a loss of 7.9%.

Evaluating the pandemic's effects on the global economy, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle said, "International organizations in the global economy and trade continue to expect the largest contraction since the end of World War II in 2020. According to the European Commission's 'Summer 2020 Economic Forecast' report, the European Union, our most important export market, is expected to contract by 8.3% in 2020. The United States, also among our important export markets, is expected to contract by 6.6% this year according to IMF expectations. On the other hand, a possible second wave is triggering uncertainty and downside risks worldwide. According to OECD expectations, in a scenario where the pandemic experiences a second wave, total global exports are expected to fall by 11.2% and imports by 12.2% in 2020; the United Kingdom is expected to contract by 14%, Russia by 10%, and Germany by 8.8%," he said.

"Turkish product perception is improving in our markets"

Emphasizing that Turkey left behind the negative atmosphere caused by the pandemic in export markets during March-April-May in June, Gülle noted: "As the export family, we said in March that this was not a day of despair, in April we expressed that our targets were greater than Covid-19, in May our expectations were beyond normal, and in June, as in the past, we would succeed today. Turkey achieved a 35% increase in exports in June compared to the previous month, differentiating itself positively from many countries. Our exports in July continued this success with an 11.5% increase compared to June. Our July exports represent the highest monthly export figure since the pandemic was announced.

Turkish exporters knew how to turn the game in their favor in a very short time. As field soldiers of trade diplomacy, we have been present in the field under all conditions with loyalty to our exporters. We demonstrated our strength in reliable supply during this difficult period facing the world. We neither overlooked the needs of our own people nor held back from extending our helping hand to the world. Through these efforts, Turkish product perception is improving every day in our markets, and confidence in our country is increasing. Turkey, by establishing that it is the 'reliable port' of global trade, continues on its 'course beyond normal in exports.' We united in the pandemic, now it is time to take flight. Building on the previous month each month, we march toward our targets. Every increase in our country's foreign exchange earnings encourages us further in our struggle. Our sole purpose on this path is Turkey Rising Through Exports."

"Virtual Trade Delegations will continue with Colombia, Mexico and Germany"

Gülle, drawing attention to the government's important support in all areas for the present and future of exports, noted, "Support in social security, short-work allowance, cash assistance, and in financing access to low-cost and flexible-term credits greatly helped the real sector overcome the difficult period. We will continue to see the effects of these supports in the coming period. In this sense, we express our thanks, especially to our President, to our Minister of Trade and to our Minister of Treasury and Finance, for the fast-track solutions they brought to our exporters' problems and their export-prioritizing approach," he said.

Gülle described the work carried out within TİM during the pandemic period to bring exporters together with new opportunities: "New generation trade diplomacy activities have now become a tradition at TİM. We were pioneers with virtual trade delegations, virtual fairs, virtual award ceremonies, Export Talks meetings, and a virtual competition we will organize soon. We conducted over 800 online meetings with our Exporter Associations. We took it upon ourselves to demonstrate the strength of the export family both in the field and online. With the coordination of our Ministry of Trade, we added new ones to the Virtual Trade Delegations we organized. With the participation of many sector representatives, exporters signed new partnerships in the growing markets of Nigeria and Pakistan.

Our Virtual Trade Delegations will not be limited to Uzbekistan, Kenya, India, Nigeria and Pakistan, as TİM, with our 95,000-member export family, will continue our New Generation Trade Diplomacy activities continuously in target markets. We will organize our first Virtual Trade Delegation in August for the period 10-21 August with Colombia and Mexico, primarily in agriculture, agricultural machinery, air conditioning, and packaging sectors. Again within next month, we will conduct the second Virtual Trade Delegation to Germany with our companies in iron-steel, machinery, and electrical-electronics sectors. We provided supply at the right time, in the right place and securely, now it is time for new successes in exports."

1,641 companies joined the export family in July

Touching on the details of July exports, TİM Chairman Gülle provided the following information: "As a result of awareness regarding our exports, which has been established as an indispensable pillar for the present and future of Turkey's economy, and our SME export mobilization training we conduct throughout our country as TİM, I am pleased to report that 1,641 companies joined our export family in July. These newly exporting companies achieved USD 97.404 million in exports in July. Looking at the company level, a total of 40,675 companies made exports during July."

Exports to 96 countries increased by USD 842.6 million

Despite the global trade downturn, Turkey managed to increase its exports to 96 countries by USD 842.6 million in July. Among these 96 countries, increases exceeded 10% in 68 and 50% in 28. Among these countries, the United States stood out with USD 136.5 million in export increase, China with USD 120.3 million export increase, and Norway with USD 65.9 million export increase compared to July of the previous year.

Increase continued in Covid-19 product exports

Covid-19 product exports continued to accelerate in July. Compared to the previous year; Respiratory Devices increased by 1,647% to USD 10.2 million, Masks and Gowns increased by 464% to USD 34.4 million, Diagnostic Kits increased by 180% to USD 11.1 million, Disinfectant exports increased by 16.7% to USD 18.8 million, and Pharmaceuticals exports increased by 52.9% to USD 1.2 million. Total Medical Products exports were realized at USD 75.8 million, an increase of 175.1%.

16 sectors achieved their highest monthly exports

The Automotive sector led July with USD 2.201 billion in exports, while the Ready-made Garments sector came second with USD 1.813 billion in exports, and the Chemicals sector came third with USD 1.583 billion. 16 sectors achieved their highest monthly exports since the start of the pandemic. The strongest performers in July were the Shipbuilding and Yachts sector with USD 141.3 million in exports, a 59.5% increase, the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables sector reaching USD 186.2 million with a 41.4% increase, and the Ornamental Plants sector reaching USD 6.1 million with a 23% increase. In July, the Ready-made Garments sector increased its exports to the United States by 53.4% and to the Netherlands by 34%.

Exports to 77 countries reached their highest level

In July, exporters managed to wave Turkey's flag in 213 countries and regions. Exports to 77 countries reached their highest level since the start of the pandemic. The top 3 countries with the most exports were Germany with USD 1.458 billion, the United Kingdom with USD 963.4 million, and the United States with USD 941.5 million. While the share of the top 10 countries in exports was 48.9%, this share increased to 67% in the top 20 countries. Exactly 19 countries, including the United States, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, managed to export from all sectors. The European Union, the largest market, saw its share in exports fall to 41.5% with a volume of USD 6.23 billion.

The most notable increase was seen in Yalova

Looking at provincial exports, 47 provinces increased their exports in July. The top 3 provinces with the most exports were Istanbul with USD 6.028 billion, Bursa with USD 1.155 billion, and Kocaeli with USD 942 million. The most notable increases were seen in Yalova, which achieved USD 62 million in exports with a 1,231% increase, Kastamonu, which reached USD 27 million with a 538% increase, and Gümüşhane, which made USD 5 million in exports with a 258% increase. Mining sector exports in Rize increased 80-fold, while Machinery sector exports in Mardin increased 7-fold. In Trabzon, Machinery sector exports increased by 273%.

Exports in TL were made to 176 countries

During the month, exports to 176 countries in the amount of TRY 4.399 billion were realized. 6,804 companies preferred Turkish Lira in export transactions.

Parity's positive effect was USD 106.2 million

Exports on a volume basis were realized at 13 million tons in July, a 6.2% increase compared to the same month of the previous year. Finally, the positive effect of the Euro-Dollar parity in July was USD 106.182 million.