3 Billion 44 Million Dollars Packaging Exports from Turkey

Turkish packaging industry realized 3 billion 44 million dollars export in the first 6 months of 2021, yielding a foreign trade surplus of 1 billion 222 million dollars, and achieved an increase of 6 percent in volume and 26 percent in value compared to the same period of the previous year. Mr. Zeki Sarıbekir, President of the ASD Turkish Packaging Manufacturers Association, said; “As the packaging industry, we are proud and happy to contribute to the second quarter growth figure of 21.7 percent of our country's economy. Our goal is to export more day by day and to export at least half of the packages we produce in Turkey.”

The packaging industry realized an export of 3 billion 44 million dollars in the first 6 months of 2021 and achieved an increase of 26 percent. Accordingly, the total packaging exports, which were 1.39 million tons in the first 6 months of 2020, increased by 6 percent in the first 6 months of 2021 to 1.48 million tons. While the packaging industry import was 898 tons in the first 6 months of 2020, it was calculated as 930 tons in the first 6 months of 2021. On the basis of value, the figures were 1.5 billion dollars and 1.8 billion dollars, respectively, while the total imports of the packaging industry were 4 percent in quantity and 19 percent in value, compared to the previous year.

Making statements about the export figures of the packaging industry, Mr. Zeki Sarıbekir said, “As in 2020, we continue to have a foreign trade surplus in 2021, despite the pandemic. When we look at the general totals by packaging type, we see that in the first 6 months of 2021, plastic packaging ranks first with a share of 67 percent, and paper/cardboard packaging takes the second place with a share of 22 percent. The countries to which we export the most in 2021 are respectively; the UK, Germany, Iraq, the USA and Israel.”

“Circular Economy and Sustainability Should Be Our Main Agenda”

Mr. Zeki Sarıbekir said that two important points are of great importance in packaging production; 'Sustainability' and 'Environment'. Mr. Zeki Sarıbekir ended his speech as follows: “Sustainable development goals, circular economy and green deal should be our main agenda. These issues are of great importance for our country and the European Green Deal adaptation process. The most important point for us within the scope of sustainable development goals is the issue of 'responsible consumption and production'. As a country, we should proceed within this framework in the production and consumption cycle. In order to achieve our export targets, we must closely monitor the transition process for a carbon-neutral economy. As ASD Turkish Packaging Manufacturers Association, we will continue to provide our industry with the support as much as we can by doing our part in this regard.”

Sincerely,

ASD Turkish Packaging Manufacturers Association