Sakarya’s H1 2023 Exports: $3.2 Billion and Automotive Dominance

Sakarya logged $3,209,705,000 in exports during the January‑July 2023 period, retaining its place as Turkey's seventh‑largest exporter.

Regional Ranking and Share of Contribution

■With a 2.27% share of national exports, Sakarya sits 7th behind Istanbul, Kocaeli, Ankara, Bursa, Izmir and Gaziantep.

■Exports reached 140 countries and 9 free‑trade zones, up 3.52% year‑on‑year for the same period.

Sector Breakdown: Automotive Dominance

■83.87% (approximately $2,628,931,000) originated from the automotive sector.

■Steel, machinery‑components and non‑ferrous metals followed with $52,654,000, $91,759,000, and $48,816,000 respectively.

Top Destination Markets

■France: $553,860,000

■Spain: $504,581,000

■Poland: $375,656,000

■United Kingdom: $265,798,000

■Italy: $250,824,000

July 2023: Record Growth and Strategic Remarks

■July saw a 6.1% increase, delivering $556,471,000 in exports.

■Out of 25 key sectors, 17 posted higher exports compared with the same month last year; notable gains were recorded in steel, machinery components, automotive, electrical‑electronics, and hazelnut‑related products.

■The province opened trade with 13 previously zero‑export locations, expanding to 66 markets in total.

Outlook: Risks and Opportunities

■Currency volatility, geopolitical tensions, and inflation are inflating input costs and hampering long‑term contracts.

■Ongoing Russia‑Ukraine conflict, Strait of Hormuz bottlenecks, and extra taxes on Turkish goods add new cost layers for exporters.

■Maintaining competitive pricing and driving innovation are essential to preserve market share.

Fatih Kılıç – While Sakarya’s export engine remains powered by a robust automotive base, macro‑economic uncertainties and trade barriers are eroding profit margins. Cash‑flow resilience and FX‑risk hedging will be pivotal focus areas for investors through 2024‑2025.