Turkey's exports exceed $12B in June

By Muhammed Ali Gurtas

ISTANBUL

Turkey's exports in June surged 5 percent year-on-year, the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) announced on Sunday.

Last month, the country's exports totaled $12.6 billion while, for the January-June period, they amounted to nearly $82 billion -- a 7.4 percent annual hike.

TIM data showed that the 12-month overall exports rose 9.7 percent on a yearly basis, reaching $161.5 billion.

In June, the European Union was the main export market for Turkish products with 52 percent of total monthly exports.

The automotive sector tops exports with $2.5 billion, followed by chemical products ($1.42 billion) and clothing ($1.36 billion)

TIM also noted that Turkey's exports have been increasing for 20 consecutive months, and the export performance will be better in the second half of 2018.

According to the country's statistical authority, Turkey's exports hit an all-time high of $157.6 billion in 2014. They amounted to nearly $157 billion last year.