Increase in Exports for Earthquake-Affected Provinces
Nearly two years have passed since the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey on February 6, 2023, leaving a deep impact on the country. However, thanks to support, incentives, and the dedicated efforts of the business community, the 11 provinces affected by the earthquakes have shown resilience and seen an increase in their exports in 2024, approaching pre-earthquake levels.
According to data from the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), Turkey’s overall exports are set to increase by 2.5 percent in 2024, reaching 262 billion dollars. In December 2024, exports reached 23.5 billion dollars, marking the highest foreign sales in December.
Among the 11 provinces impacted by the earthquakes, including Adana, Gaziantep, Hatay, and others, exports in 2024 increased by 6 percent compared to the previous year, totaling 19 billion 209 million 997 thousand dollars.
Gaziantep emerged as the leading exporter among these provinces in 2024, with exports totaling 10 billion dollars, followed by Hatay with 3.5 billion dollars, Adana with 3 billion dollars, and Kahramanmaraş with 1.3 billion dollars. Other provinces also saw growth in their export figures, with Hatay leading the pack with a 34.7 percent increase.
Key sectors that drove exports in the affected provinces in 2024 include grain, pulses, oilseeds, textiles, steel, and chemical substances, contributing to the overall recovery in exports post-earthquake.
While challenges remain in fully restoring pre-disaster export levels, provinces like Adana and Şanlıurfa have managed to surpass their pre-earthquake exports, indicating progress in the recovery process. However, experts like Southeastern Anatolia Exporters’ Associations (GAİB) Coordinator President Fikret Kileci suggest that true normalization in exports may take until 2026, with incremental improvements expected in the coming years.
Kileci also highlighted the importance of prioritizing green and sustainable production practices and emphasized the need for a peaceful environment in neighboring Syria to boost trade opportunities in the region, particularly in Gaziantep.
Despite the challenges faced by the region, Kileci expressed confidence in the resilience of the local economy and stressed the importance of investing in human capital and innovation to drive future growth. While the road to full recovery may be long, the determination and efforts of the business community point towards a brighter future for the earthquake-affected provinces in Turkey.
