Turkey’s exports rise over 5 pct in February with significant increases in China, US and Israel markets

BURSA

Turkey’s exports rose to $11.3 billion in February with a 5.1 percent increase compared to the same month of 2016, according to data from a top sector association. 

The country’s 12-month exports reached $143.2 billion with a 2.6 percent of year-on-year increase, the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TİM) announced on March 1. 

“We saw significant rises in exports to China, Israel and the United States. Our exports to these countries rose 67 percent, 27.8 percent and 26.5 percent respectively,” said TİM President Mehmet Büyükekşi at a press meeting in the northwestern province of Bursa. 

Büyükekşi also noted that the biggest export increases were seen in Malta market and Singapore, with 139 percent and 112 percent respectively in the first two months of the year. 

“Our key export goods to Malta were boats and yachts, while we sold chemical products and materials to Singapore most,” he added. 

In February, Turkey’s automotive exports rose by 12.5 percent, olive and olive oil exports rose 82.3 percent and jewelry exports rose 64 percent, according to TİM data. 

In the first two months of 2017, the automotive sector again became the top exporting sector on a value basis.