AKİB Achieved USD 1.72 Billion in Exports in May

AKİB Achieved USD 1.72 Billion in Exports in May Fuat Tosyalı, Coordinator Chairman of Mediterranean Exporters Unions (AKİB), announced that they achieved USD 1.72 billion in exports in May, achieving a 26% increase compared to the same period last year. Chairman Fuat Tosyalı emphasized that they maintained their position as the union with the highest export volume growth among the 14 general secretariats across Turkey in May, stating: "In a period where aftershocks from production and supply disruptions during the pandemic continue to be felt in logistics, commodity and energy markets, we are adding new chapters to our success stories by integrating our geographic location advantage with our reliable supplier identity." Noting that the war between Russia and Ukraine has slowed global economic growth and created upward pressure on inflation, AKİB Coordinator Chairman Fuat Tosyalı emphasized that economic slowdown in the European Union (EU), their largest export market, as well as abnormal increases in raw material, shipping, oil and energy costs in exports are negatively affecting production. He stressed that in this environment, it is of great importance to make the export successes they have achieved through nearshoring tendencies sustainable. Chairman Tosyalı stated: "The growth of our export volume in such a challenging environment is an indicator of the development in our production capacity. Using available resources most effectively and providing meaningful contributions to regional and country development, I sincerely congratulate all our members throughout Turkey, especially exporters in Mersin, Adana, Hatay, Kayseri and Karaman, and extend my gratitude to them." "Our effectiveness in African and Southeast Asian markets is increasing" Noting the positive reflections of AKİB's efforts to increase market diversity, which supported Turkey's USD 19 billion export volume in May by 10.1%, Chairman Tosyalı recorded that they made major strides in African and Southeast Asian markets during the period, stating: "In the list of countries to which we exported the most in May, South Africa ranked first with a 616% increase and a value of USD 198.9 million. This was followed by Iraq in second place with a 76% increase and USD 114.5 million, and Spain in third place with a 39% increase and USD 104.4 million. In the fifth month of the year, we achieved the strongest growth in export volume in the Singapore market with a 12,885% increase and a value of USD 51 million. Significant increases in our exports to South Africa, Romania, Egypt, Poland and Northern Cyprus further boosted our motivation," he said. Highest exports from chemicals, iron and steel, cereals and legumes Noting that AKİB's locomotive sectors in May exports continue to be chemical substances and products, and iron and non-ferrous metals, and that they achieved the strongest growth in export volume in fresh fruits and vegetables during the same period, Chairman Tosyalı stated: "In May, our Chemical Substances and Products Exporters Union realized the highest exports by value with a 25% increase and USD 701 million. Our Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters Union ranked second with a 32% increase and USD 450 million, and our Cereals, Legumes, Oilseeds and Products Exporters Union ranked third with a 20% increase and USD 137.6 million. Also in this month, our Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Exporters Union increased its performance by 43%, achieving USD 120.5 million in exports. Our Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Union achieved USD 111 million with an 18% increase, our Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Union achieved USD 85.3 million with a 9% increase, our Aquatic Products and Animal Products Exporters Union achieved USD 46.2 million with a 22% increase, and our Ready-Made Clothing and Apparel Exporters Union achieved USD 28.6 million with a 35% increase." AKİB Coordinator Chairman Fuat Tosyalı added that regional exports between January and May 2022 reached USD 5.9 billion with a 36% increase compared to the same period last year, and that in the last 12 months of exports they achieved a 47% increase, reaching USD 18.7 billion.