The furniture, paper and forestry products sector started the new year with a record, increasing its exports by 12.4% to $626.7 million last month compared to the same period of 2022.
According to the information compiled from the data of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), Turkiye’s exports rose to $19 billion 375 million in January with an increase of 10.4% compared to the same period of the previous year, breaking a record in the first month of 2023.
In the said period, the increase in Turkiye’s exports of furniture, paper and forestry products was 12.4%. While the sector’s exports reached $626.7 million, the highest January record of all time was set.
Last month, the highest figure in furniture, paper and forest products exports was seen in Iraq with $76.3 million. Exports to this country increased by 17.3%.
Iraq was followed by the United Kingdom with $34.7 million, Iran with $30.6 million, and Israel with $30.3 million. Germany, Russia, Morocco, Libya, France and the USA were among the 10 countries with the highest exports.
Significant increase in Russia and Iran
While there was an increase in exports to 7 countries in the top 10 markets, there was a decrease in Israel, Libya and the USA.
The highest increase in exports in the said market was recorded in Russia with 216.4%. Exports to this country increased from $7.1 million to $22.5 million. Iran also drew attention with its 86.1% increase in exports last month.
Among the countries with an export of more than $1 million in January, the highest increase was in Algeria with 283.4%, Hungary with 228.6%, Tajikistan with 140%, Serbia with 112.4%, India with 81.6%, and Kazakhstan with 68.8%.
South Korea, New Zealand and Taiwan were among the countries where the sector’s exports fell the most.
“Our target is $10 billion this year”
Istanbul Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters’ Association President Erkan Ozkan, in his evaluation of January export data, said that they are proud to have made a strong start to 2023, when the 100th anniversary of the Republic will be celebrated, after 2022, which was difficult but ended with success.
Ozkan said, “We have made a strong export start this year with the efforts of all the stakeholders of our industry and their belief in new records. We aim to close the year with $10 billion of exports by evaluating new opportunities in the world with the fairs we will attend and new investments to be made, as well as the right planning. We believe that we can achieve this with our dynamic and productive structure.”
Source: Trthaber / Prepared by Irem Yildiz