Turkish companies have engaged in exports to 18 countries under the Distant Countries Strategy. Exports to these countries increased by 9.2% annually to reach $20.1 billion in the January-September period.

Within the scope of the “Distant Countries Strategy,” Turkish companies exported to 18 countries including the United States, China, Japan, Pakistan, India, and Australia. This year’s exports to these countries increased by 9.2% annually to reach $20.1 billion in the January-September period. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine War to the north for almost 3 years, Israel’s attack on Palestine to the south, and the possibility of this situation spreading to the entire Middle East, along with economic stagnation in Europe, directed Turkish exporters towards new markets. As a result, the “Distant Countries Strategy” launched by the Ministry of Trade to take a larger share of imports from 18 countries that make up more than half of the world economy becomes increasingly important for Turkish exporters, who have established closer contacts with these countries within this strategy. Turkey’s steps in this direction are reflected in export figures. Exceeding $20 Billion According to data from the Ministry of Trade and the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), exports to 18 countries including the United States, China, Japan, Pakistan, India, and Australia reached $20,293,325,000 in the January-September period of this year, which marked a 9.2% annual increase. In the same period last year, exports to these countries amounted to $18,578,826,000. United States Leads in Exports The United States topped the list with exports amounting to $9,798,724,000, representing 48% of exports to the 18 countries. China followed with $2,302,562,000, Canada with $1,115,180,000, Mexico with $933,931,000, and India with $914,300,000. Pakistan had the highest increase in exports by 76.1% in the first 9 months of the year, followed by Brazil with 26.9%, Australia with 24.5%, Mexico with 21%, and Chile with 16.1%. Most Chemicals Sold In the January-September period of this year, exports to the United States were primarily in the “chemicals and products” sector, totaling $1.2 billion. This sector was followed by the “automotive industry” with $885,979,000 and the “ready-to-wear and clothing” sector with $644,580,000. When looking at the breakdown of exports to China during the same period, the top three categories consisted of “mining products” with $1.3 billion, “chemicals and products” with $421 million, and “iron and non-ferrous metals” with $118 million. Examining the sub-categories of exports to Canada, which was the third-highest export destination in the periods, the “steel” sector came in first with $322,817,000. This sector was followed by “chemicals and products” with $99,584,000 and “furniture, paper, and forest products” with $77,147,000. The Distant Countries Strategy launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Trade covers the United States, Australia, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, India, Japan, Canada, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Chile, Taiwan, and Vietnam.