While the exports of iron and steel, aluminum, copper and metal products reached 6 billion 386 million dollars in the first quarter of 2021, the performance of the Aegean Iron and Ferrous Metals Exporters Union, the leader of the Aegean exporters, increased by 14 percent in the first quarter of the year.
The performance of the Aegean Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters Union, which is the export leader among 12 exporters unions within the Aegean Exporters Union, in the first quarter of 2021; It rose from 379 million dollars to 435 million dollars with an increase of 14 percent.
The sector’s March export record is more successful. The sector increased its exports by 53 percent in March, moving it from 1 billion 652 million dollars to 2 billion 526 million dollars. In March, the Aegean Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters Association maintained its top position within the EIB with an export of 164.7 million dollars, and increased its exports by 38 percent compared to March 2020.
Aegean Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters’ Association President Yalçın Ertan stated that the increase in raw material prices after the pandemic increased the export prices and that the increase in container prices and freight prices started to be reflected in the costs. Underlining that the balance in the global markets has deteriorated and has not yet been achieved with the pandemic, Ertan noted that despite the changes in global balances and distortions in the supply chains, the iron and steel industry successfully passed the first quarter of 2021. Stating that “We are taking firm steps towards the export target of 1.4 billion dollars we set for 2021”, President Ertan said, “In the first quarter, we exported 435 million dollars. Our industry while Turkey ranked first place in Italy with 190.5 million dollars in worldwide exports in March, Germany to 175.5 million dollars, exports to Spain have made 150.5 million dollars. We exported $ 121.8 million worth of iron and non-ferrous metals products to Romania and 105 million dollars to the USA. Our sales to Iraq, Israel, Peru, England, the Netherlands, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines and China markets are going very well. Products from our Aegean region iron and non-ferrous metals exporter companies are sent to more than 170 countries. If this number exceeds 220 in Turkey, “he said.
