March 2022 Export Figures Announced

March 2022 Export Figures Announced Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) announced March 2022 export figures. Turkish exporters closed March with new records, as they did in the first two months of the year. According to the announced data, Turkey's March exports increased by 19.8% compared to the same month of the previous year, reaching USD 22.7 billion. With these figures, Turkey achieved its highest first-quarter performance and highest monthly export figure in history. The intense interest of companies in exports continued to be reflected in the number of exporting firms in March. In March, 1,986 companies exported for the first time, joining the export family. Turkish exporters, who managed to fly the Turkish flag in 218 countries and regions, demonstrated success in increasing exports to 159 countries. The top 3 countries where Turkish exporters shipped the most in March were: Germany with USD 1.9 billion, the United States with USD 1.5 billion, and Italy with USD 1.2 billion. While 20 sectors increased their exports this month, the sectors with the most exports were: chemicals and chemical products with USD 2.9 billion, the automotive industry with USD 2.7 billion, and the steel sector with USD 2.2 billion. TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, noting that the export family demonstrated extremely successful performance in the first quarter of the year, stated: "We saw this again in our March figures. To reach our 2022 target of USD 250 billion, we needed to increase our exports by USD 2.1 billion each month compared to the previous year. As a result of the latest figures, we are ahead by USD 10 billion in the first quarter on the road to USD 250 billion. It is extremely important that the current momentum continues to rise. We are pursuing all our targets with great determination and confidence." The 2022 March export figures were announced to the public at a meeting held in Ankara with the participation of Republic of Turkey Commerce Minister Mehmet Muş and Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) Chairman İsmail Gülle. Turkey's March exports increased by 19.8% compared to the same month of the previous year, reaching USD 22.7 billion. According to these announced figures, Turkish exporters, who are the field representatives of Turkey's economy and trade diplomacy, achieved historic success in March by breaking a double record. With the USD 22.7 billion in exports achieved by the export family in March, the highest first-quarter performance and highest monthly export figure in the history of the republic have been reached. Speaking at the "March 2022 Foreign Trade Figures Press Release" meeting, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle stated that the export family achieved extremely successful performance in the first quarter of the year and that they were able to see this again with the announced March figures.

Double Record Broken in Exports

Evaluating the March export figures, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle noted that the export family achieved historic performance this month and reached a double record. TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle stated: "Our exports in March increased by 19.8% compared to the same month of the previous year, reaching USD 22.7 billion. With this figure, we managed to reach the highest first-quarter performance and highest monthly export figure in our history. Our export-to-import ratio excluding energy rose to 95%." Emphasizing that while export expectations had declined worldwide and uncertainties and risks had increased, Turkey differentiated itself positively from other countries in March and broke a republic history export record, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle said: "I congratulate every member of our export family who contributed to this great success and our esteemed chairpersons. At the point we have reached, our total exports in the first quarter of the year exceeded USD 60 billion. In the current projection, these figures are extremely important on the road to our targets."

Chemical Sector Ranked First in Both Categories

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, noting that 20 sectors increased their exports in March, listed the sectors with the most exports as follows: "This month, our chemical sector, which achieved nearly USD 3 billion in exports, ranks first, while our automotive sector reaching USD 2.7 billion ranks second, and our steel sector with USD 2.3 billion ranks third." Stating that the most striking sectoral increases occurred in the chemical, steel, iron and non-ferrous metals sectors, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle said: "Each of them increased their exports by nearly 50% compared to the previous year. A total of 9 sectors broke export records in March." Noting that the export family managed to fly the Turkish flag in 218 countries and regions and increased exports to 159 countries, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle listed the top 3 countries where Turkish exporters achieved the most exports as: Germany with USD 1.9 billion, the United States with USD 1.6 billion, and Italy with USD 1.3 billion. Noting that they broke export records to a total of 33 countries including the United States, Israel, and Germany, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle stated: "Additionally, this month we organized trade delegations to two important countries for our exports, Spain and Israel, with intense participation. Buyers showed very strong interest in our Turkish companies. What we saw in these delegations is that there is serious demand and interest for our country not just in 1-2 specific sectors, but in all sectors. Our exports to Spain in March increased by 24% to USD 987 million and our exports to Israel increased by 40% to USD 738 million." Looking at exports by country groups, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle provided information that exports to the European Union, Turkey's largest commercial market, reached USD 10 billion with a 27% increase, and stated that the EU's share in exports was 44%. TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle continued his remarks as follows: "When we include other European countries outside the EU, Europe's share in our March exports was 54%. Additionally, the actual commissioning of the 18 March Çanakkale Bridge to our largest market, the European Union, was a historic step in bringing our region's export drive in the Aegean and Mediterranean to Europe. With the 18 March Çanakkale Bridge, our logistics competence will further increase and we will have gained a significant advantage in exports to Europe. We express our gratitude to our Esteemed President and our entire government for this important work that opens the way for our exports." TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle provided information that in other country groups outside Europe, USD 4 billion in exports were made to Near and Middle Eastern countries, USD 2.3 billion to the entire African continent, USD 1.8 billion to North America, and USD 1.6 billion to Far Eastern countries.

1,986 Companies "Welcome Exports"

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, noting that the intense interest of companies in exports continued to be reflected in the number of exporting firms in 2022, stated: "1,986 of our companies exported for the first time this month, joining our export family. Our new companies achieved USD 105.7 million in exports in March. The number of companies that exported this month was 47,981." TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, noting that exports on a volume basis increased by 6% to 15.7 million tons, stated: "Nevertheless, quite positive momentum continues in our export unit prices. Our unit export value increased by 13% compared to the same period of the previous year to USD 1.45."

61 Provinces Increased Exports in March

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, saying that 61 provinces increased their exports this month, stated that the top 3 provinces with the most exports were respectively Istanbul with USD 9 billion, Kocaeli with USD 1.9 billion, and Bursa with USD 1.3 billion. Apart from these cities, TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, listing other provinces that drew attention with export increases as Izmir with USD 255 million increase, Ankara with USD 241 million increase, and Denizli with USD 150 million increase, provided information that according to declarations opened in Turkish lira, a total of TRY 9.8 billion in exports were made to 163 countries in Turkish lira, and exports in Turkish lira increased by 72% in March.

18 Provinces Achieved Their Highest Exports

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, noting that Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) held the TİM Denizli Council program in Denizli, the rising star of exports this month, stated: "We consulted with exporters in our region on further increasing our exports in the new era. We observed current developments, problems, and demands by going to the field. Our exporters show intense interest, particularly in the Export Development Joint-Stock Company that began operations at the beginning of March. The Export Development Company (EDE JSC), which was established with the export family's own resources, will eliminate the guarantee problem for our exporters. From now on, no exporter of ours will have to pledge their home, car, or machinery as collateral to obtain credit. On the other hand, our exports in Anatolia continue to increase rapidly. In March, 18 of our provinces achieved their highest exports in history. I congratulate all our provinces for this successful performance."

"On the Road to USD 250 Billion, We are Ahead by USD 10 Billion in the First Quarter"

TİM Chairman İsmail Gülle, saying that to reach their target of USD 250 billion for 2022, they needed to increase exports by USD 2.1 billion each month compared to the previous year, stated: "As a result of the latest figures, we are ahead by USD 10 billion in the first quarter on the road to USD 250 billion. It is extremely important that the current momentum continues to rise. We are pursuing all our targets with great determination and confidence." Following the program, at the awards ceremony held afterwards, plaques were presented by Republic of Turkey Commerce Minister Mehmet Muş and Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) Chairman İsmail Gülle to TİM Sectors Council Members, TİM Audit Board Members, Exporter Union Chairpersons, and Sector Board Chairpersons who provided outstanding services to Turkey's export-driven economy and sectors.