Aegean Exporters' Associations Achieved Exports of 1.6 Billion Dollars in August

The Aegean Exporters' Associations (EİB) increased its exports by 6 percent in August 2026 compared to the same period last year, raising them to 1 billion 605 million dollars. EİB's exports in the January-August period reached 12 billion 784 million dollars, up 5 percent. The Associations' exports over the last 12 months also rose by 4 percent to 19 billion 129 million dollars.

The Aegean Exporters' Associations announced its export figures for August. While EİB achieved 1 billion 605 million dollars in exports in August, Türkiye's total exports rose by 8 percent to 23 billion 466 million dollars during the same period.

EİB's exports in the first eight months of the year rose by 5 percent to 12 billion 784 million dollars. In the last 12-month period, exports increased by 4 percent to reach 19 billion 129 million dollars.

Industrial and agricultural exports increased
In EİB's August exports, industrial products ranked first with 824 million dollars. Industrial exports increased by 1 percent on an annual basis.

Agricultural product exports rose by 6 percent to 632 million dollars, while mining product exports increased by 38 percent to 148 million dollars.

The Aegean Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters' Association was the association with the highest exports within EİB in August, with 206 million dollars in exports.

The Aegean Fishery and Animal Products Exporters' Association was also among the associations with strong performance, achieving exports of 175 million dollars with an 11 percent increase.

38 percent increase in mining and tobacco exports
The associations that increased their exports the most in August were the Aegean Mining Exporters' Association and the Aegean Tobacco Exporters' Association.

The Aegean Mining Exporters' Association increased its exports by 38 percent to 148 million dollars, while the Aegean Tobacco Exporters' Association achieved exports of 121 million dollars, also up 38 percent.

The August export performance of other associations was as follows:

Aegean Ready-Wear and Apparel Exporters' Association: 112 million dollars, up 13 percent
Aegean Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds and Products Exporters' Association: 104 million dollars, up 3 percent
Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association: 97 million dollars, up 3 percent
Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters' Association: 60 million dollars
Aegean Dried Fruit and Products Exporters' Association: 57 million dollars
Aegean Textiles and Raw Materials Exporters' Association: 35 million dollars, up 7 percent
Aegean Leather and Leather Products Exporters' Association: 16 million dollars
Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association: 14 million dollars
The European Union's share in EİB's exports is 53 percent

EİB Coordinator Chairman Muhammet Öztürk stated that they exported to 185 countries and customs regions in August, and that exports to 87 countries increased.

Noting that Germany, the USA and Spain continue to be EİB's most important export markets, Öztürk said that exports to the European Union rose by 6 percent to 764 million dollars.

Stating that the EU's share in total exports reached 53 percent, Öztürk said, "In our exports over the last 12 months, we surpassed the 19 billion dollar threshold for the first time, reaching 19 billion 129 million dollars. The 6 percent export increase in August does not reflect our potential. In order for our exports to make a strong contribution to economic growth, we need to achieve double-digit growth figures."

"Exporters' access to financing should be strengthened"
Öztürk, drawing attention to the fact that exporters are struggling to maintain their competitiveness under the pressure of high interest rates, inflation and exchange rates, said that current economic conditions are affecting production and investment decisions.

Öztürk stated, "While inflation maintains its resistance above 30 percent, high interest rates are narrowing investors' room for maneuver, while the increase in exchange rates is lagging behind inflation. For a healthy and sustainable economy, growth needs to be supported by industry and exports."

Emphasizing that exporters' access to cost-effective financing has become critical, Öztürk continued as follows:

"We need to break free from the high interest rate-low exchange rate spiral. In order for production to be converted into added value and export revenue, our exporters must be supported with appropriate financing models. In order for our producers to be rewarded for their labor, for the wheels of our industry to keep turning, for employment to be protected and for society's welfare to increase, we must all work together to clear the obstacles in the path of our exports."