EIB/Ertan: New Export Target of $10 Billion for Turkish Republics

At the Export Products Fair in Turkmenistan, which facilitates the increased consumption of Turkish products in the Turkic Republics and Central Asia markets, Turkish export products took their place. Turkish delicacies received significant attention.

The stands of the Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters' Association and the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association were among the most visited at the fair.

The 11th Turkmenistan Turkish Export Products Fair, held from December 4 to 6, 2024, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, was inaugurated by the Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer BOLAT, Deputy Minister of Trade Özgür Volkan AĞAR, and Deputy Chairman of the Turkmenistan Cabinet of Ministers Trade Nokerguli Atagulyyev. Among the participants were the Coordinator Deputy Chairman of the Aegean Exporters' Associations and the President of the Aegean Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters’ Association Yalçın Ertan, the Coordinator Deputy Chairman of the Aegean Exporters' Associations and the President of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters' Association Hayrettin Uçak, the Sustainability and Organic Products Coordinator of the Aegean Exporters' Associations, and the President of the Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters' Association Mehmet Ali Işık. Additionally, M. Kadri Gündeş, Deputy Chairman of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association was also present.

Ertan stated, "Our new export target to Turkic Republics is 10 billion dollars." Yalçın Ertan, highlighting that Turkey exported 788 million dollars to Turkmenistan in the 11-month period of 2024, noted that they aim to exceed 1 billion dollars in exports to Turkmenistan through connections established at the fair. He mentioned, "We achieved 7 billion 245 million dollars in exports to Turkic Republics over the 11-month period. We will work to raise this export figure above 10 billion dollars by 2025."

Exports from EİB to Turkmenistan increased by 27%. Hayrettin Uçak, Coordinator Deputy Chairman of the Aegean Exporters' Associations, informed that EİB's exports to Turkmenistan increased from 29.5 million dollars to 37.5 million dollars with a 27% rise in the January-November period of 2024, emphasizing that the Export Products Fair in Turkmenistan presents significant opportunities to increase exports. Uçak stated, "Our Ministry of Commerce positions more than 60% of its annual budget as support for exports. The visits of Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat and our Deputy Minister of Trade Özgür Volkan Ağar to the Export Products Fair will positively impact the development of foreign trade between the two countries. We thank Minister Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat and his team for their support in the development of Turkish exports."

Işık stated, "We had tastings of our dried fruits." Mehmet Ali Işık, President of the Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters' Association, reminded that Turkey is the world leader in the production and export of seedless raisins, dried apricots, and dried figs. He emphasized that they held tastings at info stands during the Turkmenistan Turkish Export Products Fair, exporting 1.6 million dollars to Turkmenistan in the 11-month period, and indicated that they could develop collaborations with Turkmenistan and other countries while enhancing their exports.

Gündeş noted, "We are marketing our historic harvest." M. Kadri Gündeş, Deputy Chairman of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association, pointed out that Turkey reached a table olive harvest of 750,000 tons and 475,000 tons of olive oil in the 2024/25 season. He expressed that they have become the world leader in table olives and the second in olive oil, stressing the importance of promoting products at fairs for turning the historic harvest into added value and ensuring that producers receive their deserved return for their efforts. Gündeş concluded, "We provided tastings of olives and olive oil at our stand. We were one of the most sought-after stands at the fair. We believe that our promotional efforts will yield results in new export connections."

This year, 50 companies and 26 exporting unions from Turkey participated in the Turkmenistan Turkish Export Products Fair, held for the 11th time.