Turkey’s exports to the European Union (EU) countries surged by 42% to USD 40.86bn in January-June, compared to the same period of the previous year, according to official figures.
The country’s overall exports were up 39.9% to USD 104.98bn in the same period, according to data compiled by Anadolu Agency from Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TIM) figures.
The main sectors in exports to the EU during the first half of the year were automotive (USD 9.5bn), apparel (USD 5.65bn), chemical (USD 4.77bn), and steel (USD 3.27bn).
The EU’s share of Turkey’s exports in the six-month period was 38.92%.
Germany was the main destination for Turkish exports over the same period with USD 1.57bn, a jump of 33.2% on a yearly basis.
Ismail Gulle, head of the exporters’ group, said the country also reached USD 8.2bn in exports to the EU, up 49.4% on an annual basis.