Exports to Germany at the Highest Level in Recent Times

Germany is one of the most significant markets for Turkey’s exports. It broke a record in the first seven months of 2022 in the demand for Turkish products. Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) shared recent export data. Turkey’s exports to Germany reached the highest January-July export rate of all time with 11 billion 121 million dollars. Therefore, Germany continued to be the market to which Turkey exports the most. Turkey’s exports to Germany increased by 12.4% in the seven months of 2022, year over year. Also, Germany’s rate for Turkey’s exports was 7.7%.

Other prominent countries in Turkey’s exports are as follows. Germany was followed by the USA with 8 billion 485 million dollars and the United Kingdom with 7 billion 108 million dollars. Italy followed with 6 billion 723 million dollars and Iraq with 5 billion 575 million dollars. Turkey’s exports increased by 24.6% to the USA, 2.4% to the UK, 15% to Italy, and 23.1% to Iraq.

Sectors with the Most Exports to Germany

In the first seven months of 2022, the automotive industry made the most exports to Germany with 2 billion 505 million dollars. The automotive industry was followed by ready-to-wear and garments with 2 billion 189 million dollars. Ferrous and non-ferrous metals came second with 1 billion 271 million dollars. Chemicals products followed with 809 million 510 thousand dollars. Finally, the electronics sector came with 763 million 672 thousand dollars.

The least exported products to Germany belong to the olive oil sector with 23 million and 320 thousand dollars. Ornamental plants and products follow with 9 million 389 thousand dollars and tobacco with 5 million 320 thousand dollars. Other industrial products follow with 5 million 310 thousand dollars and ship yachts and services with 4 million 131 thousand dollars.

A Rapid Increase in the Iron Exports

The highest increase in exports to Germany was realized in the ferrous and non-ferrous metals sector with 439 million 96 thousand dollars. This sector was followed by ready-to-wear and garments with 295 million 937 thousand dollars. Steel came second with 123 million 24 thousand dollars. Chemical products followed with 103 million 857 thousand dollars. Finally, machinery and accessories came with 72 million 485 thousand dollars.

In the first seven months of 2022, exports to Germany realized 523 million 626 thousand dollars in the steel industry. Also, 577 million 488 thousand dollars was earned in machinery and sub-industry.

The exports of the fresh fruit and vegetable sector to Germany decreased to 153 million 53 thousand dollars. In addition, the exports of the hazelnut and its products sector decreased to 235 million 636 thousand dollars.

Importance of Germany in Turkey’s Exports

The value and rate of exports from Turkey to Germany continue to increase every year. This situation shows that Germany is a very important trade partner for Turkey. According to the current data from the World Bank, Germany has the fourth largest economy in the world. It is also the largest economy in the EU with a GDP of $4.0 trillion dollars. Germany-Turkey relations have a long history and Germany is one of Turkey’s most important allied countries in terms of politics, economy, and military.

Germany ranks first among the countries to which Turkey exports the most.  Thanks to the Customs Union allocated between Turkey and the EU in 1996, exports and imports are realized with the principle of free movement of goods. Germany has been an important trade partner for Turkey for many years. Moreover, Turkey’s export rate to Germany continues to increase every year.

Turkey exports goods and products to Germany with over 5000 companies or organizations. There is a wide range of exported product groups such as textile and garment, food sector and agricultural products are among the exported sectors.

Most Exported Product Groups

About 80% of exports to Germany consist of industrial products, and about 20% consist of agricultural and mining products. While machinery, clothing, and transportation vehicles are among the industrial products, the main products in agricultural exports are tobacco products and fruits and vegetables.

Furthermore, an important pillar of their economic relations is undoubtedly foreign direct investments. According to the statements of Dr. Markus C.Slevogt, President of the German-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry,  there are approximately eight thousand German-based companies operating in Turkey and employing 140 thousand people. The most important among them are Mercedes, Siemens, Volkswagen, Bosch, and Hugo Boss. According to 2022 data, Germany has a direct investment of 19.4 billion dollars in Turkey. This amount constitutes 14% of the foreign direct investment in Turkey. 

Finally, exports to Germany have been considerably increasing in recent years. The high level of economic and commercial relations with Germany, one of the largest economies in the world, is very important for Turkey.