Last year, exports amounted to $2 billion 562 million from the Western Mediterranean Region, which includes Antalya, Isparta and Burdur.
Western Mediterranean Exporters Association (BAIB) Chairman of the Board Umit Mirza Cavusoglu, at a press conference held at a hotel in Muratpasa district with the members of the board of directors, said that the region’s exports increased by 1% compared to last year.
Stating that there were pauses in the export of fresh vegetables and fruits due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, Cavusoglu said, “We have achieved a record export for our region, but it is not enough for us. Because we set out with a target of $3 billion for this year. We could not achieve this target due to the war in two important markets and the economic crisis in the world, but we closed the year with an increase compared to last year.”
Noting that fresh vegetables and fruits come first in the ranking on the basis of sectors, Cavusoglu stated that fresh vegetables and fruits are followed by mineral, wood and forest products, chemicals and iron and non-ferrous products. Cavusoglu noted that on the product basis, trees, ferrochrome and tomatoes came in the most.
Western Mediterranean seeks new markets
Stating that the most exports were made to Russia last year, Cavusoglu stated that Germany, China, the Netherlands and the USA were also among the top 5 countries. Reminding that China was always in the first place in the past years, Cavusoglu continued his words as follows:
“When it comes to block marble, China was an important importer country. However, the fact that the constructions within China have come to a standstill in the last year have affected our exports negatively. We suffered losses in China. In order to compensate for these losses, we turn to different countries. India stands out. Our work continues in the Far East countries. We are getting positive results from South Africa. The USA is very important in marble, we aim to divide the USA into states and work on it.”
Cavusoglu stated that they experienced a 20% increase in the kilogram value of exported products, but a 16% decrease in the total exported kilograms.
Expressing that there is a recession in developed countries, Cavusoglu stated that exporters will be most affected by this situation. Explaining that they are trying to take some precautions as a union, Cavusoglu said, “We are targeting distant countries. We aim to organize trade delegations in many countries from Vietnam to Thailand, from Malaysia to Japan, or from Australia to South Africa and South America. We will fight to avoid losses, at least in total, due to the differences.”
Umit Mirza Cavusoglu emphasized that they had serious problems in Bulgaria in exports to Europe. Noting that the laboratory at the border was moved to Sofia and there were problems in the transportation of samples to and from Sofia, Cavusoglu stated that the talks between the two countries continue, but they believe that the problem will be overcome if a strong government comes in the elections to be held in Bulgaria in March.
Cavusoglu added that this year, they aim to further increase existing exports with new markets.
Source: AA / Translated by Irem Yildiz