Sakarya’s Exports Bloom in the First Months of the Year

Exporting 1.4 billion dollars to 129 countries in the first quarter of the year, the city of Sakarya in Turkey increased this figure to 2 billion 242 million dollars by the end of May.

According to the data of the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly, the “automotive city Sakarya” ranked 7th. It followed Istanbul, Kocaeli, Bursa, Izmir, Gaziantep, and Ankara in its first-quarter exports.

Continuing its rise in production and foreign sales, the city contributed 2.5 percent to the country’s exports in the first quarter of the year.

In the first quarter of the year, the city made 1 billion 392 million 278 thousand dollars of foreign sales to 129 countries and 10 free zones.

Sakarya continues to add strength to the economy primarily with automotive. Home to production facilities such as Toyota, TürkTraktör, and Otokar, the largest share in the exports of the city was the automotive sector with 87.3%. In the first 3 months period, 1 billion 216 million 616 thousand dollars were exported in the sector.

Ferrous and non-ferrous metals took second place in foreign sales with 27 million 666 thousand dollars. This sector was followed by the chemicals and products (21.5 million dollars) and the air conditioning industry (19.2 million dollars). Finally, steel (15.4 million dollars), cement, glass ceramics, and soil products (15.1 million dollars).

Most Exports Are to the UK

In the three-month period, the city made the most export to the United Kingdom with 152 million 838 thousand dollars. Compared to the same period of the previous year, exports to this country decreased by 3.5 percent.

The second country to which Sakarya exports the most was Poland, with 136 million 204 thousand dollars. Compared to the same period of the previous year, exports to this country increased by 43.6 percent.

Spain followed Poland with 133 million 721 thousand dollars. And France followed with 124 million 727 thousand dollars, and Germany with 123 million 974 thousand dollars.

Sakarya’s 5-Month Exports Exceeded 2.2 Billion Dollars

If we look at the latest data announced by the city’s commerce chamber president Akgün Altuğ, in May, Sakarya exported 353 million dollars to the whole world. However, since the beginning of the year, total exports have reached 2 billion 242 million dollars.

Sakarya contributed 353 million dollars to the country’s exports and became the 8th province with the most exports in May. And it maintained its 7th place in cumulative terms throughout the year. 

The city experienced a 29 percent drop in shipments in May compared to April 2022. And there was a compensated drop of 1% compared to May last year. Despite all of this the total exports for the first five months exceeded 2 billion 242 million dollars. 

Undoubtedly, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine comes first among the biggest effects of the decline. In a sectoral sense, the province’s leading automobile company’s short-term and planned maintenance-repair stops are effective in exports. With the end of the war and the process of returning to normal, Sakarya will reach the level it deserves in terms of export performance.

Most Exported Sectors and Countries

In the 5-month period, the automotive sector met 86 percent of all Sakarya’s exports. In addition, Sakarya exported to a total of 121 countries, including free zones. Germany, Spain, Poland, the United Kingdom, and France are among the top exporting countries.

Exports to Imports Coverage Ratio Is 196% in May

Considering the April import figures announced by the Turkish Statistical Institute, imports decreased by 5.3 percent to 271 million 440 thousand dollars. And the foreign trade balance was 261 million 176 thousand dollars, and the ratio of exports to imports was 196%. In the 4-month period, foreign trade volume increased by 3.1% and reached 3 billion 208 million dollars, and the ratio of exports to imports was 166%. In this view, Sakarya ranks 12th in the country’s imports in April with a share of 0.92%.

SATSO Chairman Evaluated the Data

SATSO Chairman of the Board A. Akgün Altuğ evaluated the current foreign trade figures announced by the Turkish Exporters Assembly and the Turkish Statistical Institute.

“The consumption habits that have changed with the pandemic have now changed the course of the world. Many countries have revised their production and consumption balance accordingly. We need to continue to work hard in this scenario and according to the data announced. The process puts both producers and consumers in a difficult situation. Above all, it is much more important for us to produce value-added products with highly competitive power. We must keep up with the technology, think ahead of the times, and continue to develop by reflecting this on production. I would like to thank all of our business world who work without losing their consciousness and desire to produce under these difficult conditions.”