Aegean Exporters Association members increase their exports in crisis time, too!
Despite global economic recession, drop in imports, political and economic crises and Dollar/Euro parity, members of Aegean Exporters Association successfully exported 6.8 billion dollars worth of goods in the first seven years of 2015 to 201 countries. In the same period of 2014 they have sold 196 countries. Aegean exporters have also managed to increase their sales in 74 of the 201 countries. According to the data of the Association, Aegean exporters perform much better in those countries including the neighboring Greece, than Egypt that we have troubling relations with, and even than Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, Kuwait, South Africa and Pakistan. Chemical products exports sold to Greece have the lion’s share in Aegean exports that totals to 79.8 million dollars. Chemical industry has increased exports to Greece from 17 million to 35 million, a 104 percent increase over Jan-July period in 2015. Steel exports were ranked second with its 7.7 illion dollars, furniture industry ranked third with 5.1 million do llars and grain exports ranked fourth with 4.5 million dollars of exports. With an aim to overcome the latest economic recession liven in the European Union, Aegean exporters has sought new markets for their products. South Africa was an attractive alternative where they sold 22 million dollars worth of goods in the first seven months of 2014. In the same period in 2015 the exports to this country has reached up to 52 million dollars, an 136 percent increase. The largest increase of exports to South Africa was the products of electric and electronic industries. In the same period mentioned, this industry has earned 20.6 million dollars from sales in 2015, a 1964 percent increase. Furniture industry has increased its sales by 425 percent in 2015 up to 10,1 million dollars of exports. Steel industry and mining exports followed suit. One of the countries that Aegean exporters have been much successful in 2015 was Egypt, a country that has some political problems with its neighbors. However, exports have risen to 95.5 million dollars from 76.8 million dollars, 24 percent increase. Furniture exports of Aegean companies totaled 29.7 million dollars, the highest among other industries with 138 percent increase while chemical industry lost sales by 20 percent and went down to 15.9 million dollar. Steel rose 109 percent and reached to 14.6 million dollars. Aegean exporters were the most successful in Gulf countries, leaded by UAE with its 105.2 million dollars, 26 percent increase, that is follow by Kuwait, Qatar and Oman. Exporters in the Aegean region have also increased their sales in Israel market, that has had a smaller share in the exports from Turkey. Exports to Israel reached 141.9 million dollars in 2015, a 5 percent increase over last years data. Tobacco, ores, chemicals, aqua products and grains are major items sold to Israel.
