Agriculture and food exports declined in the first 9 months

According to the September analysis compiled by the Federation of Food and Drink Industry Associations of Turkey from Turkish Statistical Institute data, the sector's exports in the January-September period saw a decrease of 0.57 percent. During the same period, imports rose by 19.68 percent to 16.63 billion dollars.

Looking at the foreign trade balance, the sector posted a surplus of 3.04 billion dollars. The unit export value increased by 9.28 percent to 1,399 dollars per ton. In September, exports experienced a 3.39 percent decline, reaching a total of 2.15 billion dollars.

TOP EXPORTED PRODUCTS AND PROMINENT IMPORT ITEMS

In the first nine months of the year, the confectionery sector led with 2.59 billion dollars in exports. This was followed by fresh fruits and vegetables with 2.3 billion dollars and nuts with 1.67 billion dollars. On the import side, animal feed held the largest share with 4.35 billion dollars, followed by vegetable oils with 2.25 billion dollars and confectionery with 1.9 billion dollars.

HAZELNUT KERNELS TOP THE LIST OF MOST EXPORTED AND IMPORTED PRODUCTS

In the January-September period, the most exported product was hazelnut kernels with a value exceeding 819 million dollars. Refined sunflower oil ranked second with 789 million dollars, and wheat flour ranked third with 639.8 million dollars. At the top of the import list was soybeans with 1.41 billion dollars. Grain corn with 1.03 billion dollars and cocoa with 946 million dollars were other notable products.

EXPORT AND IMPORT DATA BY COUNTRY

The leading country in the agriculture, food, and beverage sector's exports was Iraq with a volume of 2.3 billion dollars. Exports to Germany amounted to 1.46 billion dollars, and to the USA to 1.34 billion dollars. While exports to the USA increased by 10.95 percent in the same period this year, decreases of 7.82 percent to Iraq and 6.06 percent to Germany were recorded.

On the import side, Russia led with 2.1 billion dollars. This country was followed by Brazil (1.8 billion dollars) and Ukraine (1.54 billion dollars).

Sector representatives state that price volatility in imported product groups, in addition to fluctuations in export markets, will continue to affect the markets for the remainder of the year.

News Source: 12punto