Improving diplomatic relations with Gulf countries have also positively reflected on Turkey's export figures. According to data released by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), Turkey's exports to Gulf Cooperation Council member countries increased by 35.7% in June this year compared to the same month last year, reaching $826.8 million.
While Turkey's total exports in June were recorded at $24 billion 940.3 million, up 21.8%, the strong performance in sales to the Gulf region stood out. The highest exports in this period were to Saudi Arabia, at $425.2 million.
Saudi Arabia was followed by the United Arab Emirates with $295.6 million, Kuwait with $34.7 million, Qatar with $34.2 million, Oman with $29.1 million, and Bahrain with $8 million. In the first six months of the year, total exports to Gulf countries amounted to approximately $4.1 billion.
In June, the country that increased its export value the most compared to the same period last year was Saudi Arabia, with a rise of $229.8 million. Exports to Oman rose by $13.5 million, to Kuwait by $8.2 million, and to Qatar by $7.4 million. In the same period, exports to the United Arab Emirates fell by $40.8 million, and to Bahrain by $567,000.
Looking at the sectoral breakdown of exports to Gulf countries, the jewelry sector took first place with $105.6 million. It was followed by chemicals and chemical products with $69 million, cereals, pulses, oilseeds and their products with $59.2 million, electrical and electronics with $47.9 million, and machinery and parts with $29 million.
