Mehmet Ali Can, chairman of the Western Mediterranean Exporters’ Association (BAIB), assessed Turkey’s and the Western Mediterranean’s July export figures at a press conference held at the Antalya Journalists’ Association Social Facilities.
The Western Mediterranean Exporters’ Association made $291 million in exports in July, reaching its highest monthly export figure ever. The association broke the monthly export record of $274 million set in June once again in July.
Can said exports in July increased by 33 percent compared with the same month last year. He said this made the association the one with the largest export increase among Turkey’s 13 exporters’ associations.
Seven-month exports rise to $1.763 billion
The Western Mediterranean’s exports increased by 10.28 percent in the January–July period compared with the same period last year, reaching $1.763 billion. Can announced that annual exports had reached $1.793 billion as of Aug. 5.
Can said the record of $1.791 billion in annual exports set in 2019 had been matched in 2026 within seven months and five days. He said average monthly exports stood at around $250 million and that they hoped to reach $3 billion by the end of the year if the current performance continued.
Fresh fruit and vegetables lead exports
Fresh fruit and vegetables recorded the highest sector-based exports in July, at $73 million. They were followed by mining products at $55 million and chemicals and chemical products at $30 million.
Fresh fruit and vegetable exports rose by 25 percent to $564 million in the January–July period. Peppers ranked first in this category, with exports worth $179 million.
Germany becomes the largest market
Germany was the Western Mediterranean’s largest market in the January–July period, with exports worth $157 million. The United States ranked second with $133 million, while Russia, China and Romania were among the other prominent markets.
Can said he considered the Trade Ministry’s decision to extend its foreign-exchange conversion support for exporters by another six months important. He said the 3 percent support helped exporters maintain their competitiveness and noted that there was strong demand for loans after the rediscount credit limit was raised to 5 billion Turkish liras per day.
