Turkey spent $218 million 625 thousand in 5 years for the import of dates, which are indispensable for Ramadan tables.
According to the information compiled by the AA correspondent from the data of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), 26 thousand 772 tons of dates were imported in 2016, 34 thousand 214 tons in 2017, 39 thousand 310 tons in 2018, 37 thousand 500 tons in 2019 and 42 thousand 43 tons last year.
Looking at the import figures of dates in the said period, it was seen that imports were $36 million 475 thousand in 2016, $51 million 309 thousand in 2017, $47 million 738 thousand in 2018 and $37 million 321 thousand in 2019. Last year, $45 million 782 thousand worth of dates were imported. Thus, in the last 5 years, a total of $218 million 625 thousand of dates have been imported.
Last year, dates were imported from 13 countries. Among these countries, most imports were made from Saudi Arabia with $10 million 650 thousand. This country was followed by Israel with $7 million 866 thousand, Palestine with $6 million 466 thousand and Iran with $5 million 953 thousand.
On the basis of quantity, Iran ranks first, followed by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
In the first two months of this year, date imports increased by 38.5% compared to the same period of the previous year and rose from $10 million 98 thousand to $13 million 986 thousand.
Date exports increased by 68.4%
On the other hand, in the last 5 years, a total of $55 million 227 thousand of date has been exported. Last year, date exports increased by 68.4% compared to the previous year and reached $17 million 46 thousand.
Last year, dates were exported to 62 countries from Turkey. Among the countries in question, the USA, the United Kingdom and Australia drew attention.
Source: AA / Translated by Irem Yildiz