Turkey's exports up 12.2 percent in March

ANKARA (AA) – April 30, 2012 – Turkey's exports increased 12.2 percent to 13.2 billion USD in March 2012 when compared to March 2011. TurkStat, Turkey's statistical authority, stated on Monday that Turkey's import dropped 4.8 percent to 20.5 billion USD in March 2012 when compared to March 2011. At the same month, foreign trade deficit decreased from 9.8 million USD to 7.3 million USD. Seasonally and calendar adjusted exports increased 0.1 percent and imports rose 4.3 percent in March when compared to February in 2012. In March 2012, exports coverage imports was 64.3 percent, while it was 54.6 percent in March 2011. The EU's share in exports was 41.6 percent in March, 2012. As compared with March 2011, exports to EU decreased 3.3 percent to 5.5 million USD in March 2012. In March 2012, the main partner country in Turkey's exports was Germany with 1.2 million USD. For exports, Germany was followed by Iraq (931 million USD), Iran (704 million USD), Britain (701 million USD) and Italy (620 million USD). For March 2012, the top country for Turkey's imports was Russia (2.037 million USD), followed by Germany (2.015 million USD) and China (1.7 million USD).