According to information compiled from Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) data, exports within the scope of the Special Trade System (ÖTS) increased by 2.1 percent last year compared to the previous year, reaching 172.15 billion dollars.
The region where Turkey increased its exports the most on a rate basis in 2019 was Central America and the Caribbean. Exports to this country group increased by 10.3 percent last year compared to 2018, exceeding 1.6 billion dollars.
Africa followed this group of countries in terms of export increase. While the African continent, one of the fastest growing regions in the world, has become a new export route, Turkey, which has developed its political and economic relations with the region in recent years, has increased its exports as well as its investments.
Last year, exports to African countries increased by 9.9 percent and reached 15.9 billion dollars. While 8.6 percent of total exports were made to African countries in 2018, this rate was 9.3 last year.
Exports to the Near and Middle East, the second most exported country group in terms of value, increased by 8.3 percent in 2019 compared to the previous year. During this period, approximately 32 billion dollars of exports were made to the region. It was noteworthy that the share of Near and Middle Eastern countries in total exports increased to 18.6 percent.
Exports worth 12.5 billion dollars were made to European countries other than the European Union (EU) countries last year, with an increase of 6.6 percent compared to 2018. During this period, exports to Asian countries other than the Near and Middle East countries also increased by 1.4 percent, reaching 12.5 billion dollars.
Exports to the EU fell
Exports to 28 EU countries, which are the country group to which Turkey exports the most, decreased by approximately 0.9 percent last year compared to the previous year, reaching 83.2 billion dollars. While the share of EU countries in total exports was 50 percent in 2018, it decreased to 48.5 percent last year. It is estimated that this rate may decrease further due to the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU as of January 31, 2020.
A decrease was observed in exports to EU countries, as well as to Australia and New Zealand, and to South and North America.
Last year, exports to South America decreased by 0.8 percent to 1.75 billion dollars, to Australia and New Zealand by 6.4 percent to 753 million dollars, and to North America by 6.5 percent to 9 billion dollars.
Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/turkiye-ihracatini-en-cok-orta-amerika-ve-afrikaya-artirdi/1729253
