Germany, Turkey’s largest export market, left behind the total foreign sales of 24 sectors with $1.6 billion in exports in January, leading in 7 categories as well. Despite the fragile economy in Europe, Germany, which is the locomotive position in Turkey’s exports, saw an increase in foreign sales to start the year. According to the data from the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), Germany ranked first among the countries with the highest export values last month, with $1.6 billion. The country’s exports to Germany increased by 2.1% compared to the same period last year. In January, $3 billion worth of exports in the automotive industry and $2.5 billion worth in chemicals and products were achieved. During this period, $1.4 billion in ready-to-wear clothing, $1.3 billion in steel, $1.224 billion in electrical and electronics sector, $1.163 billion in jewelry sector, $1.030 billion in cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and products, and $1.011 billion in iron and non-ferrous metals were exported. Textile and raw materials had exports of $827.1 million, machinery and parts had $791.9 million, furniture, paper, and forest products had $609.8 million, and climate control industry had exports of $590.1 million. Mining products, defense and aviation industry, fresh fruits and vegetables, cement glass ceramics, and clay and aquatic products, animal products, carpets, fruit and vegetable products, hazelnuts and products, dried fruits and products, leather and leather goods, tobacco, shipyard and services, olives and olive oil, ornamental plants and products sectors had exports below $500 million. GERMANY LEADING IN 7 CATEGORIES Germany was the leading country in exports in 7 categories including iron and non-ferrous metals, leather and leather goods, climate control industry, dried fruits and products, machinery and parts, ready-to-wear clothing, and automotive industry in January. Germany, where Turkish automotive industry realized the highest exports of $462.2 million, also topped the list in exports with $260.5 million in ready-to-wear clothing and textiles. Germany was also the top exporter in iron and non-ferrous metals exports with $119 million. Leading in exports of machinery and parts with $84.2 million, Germans also made significant exports of $63.8 million in the climate control industry, $21.6 million in dried fruits and products, and $12.9 million in leather and leather goods. US LEADING IN 5 CATEGORIES The US ranked first with exports of $69.8 million in the carpet sector, $52.6 million in cement glass ceramics and soil products, $36.8 million in fruit and vegetable products, $23 million in the tobacco sector, and $7.3 million in the olive and olive oil sector. Iraq ranked first with $179 million in exports of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and products, and also stood out with $91 million in exports of furniture, paper, and forest products. Russia topped the list with $64.4 million in fresh fruits and vegetables, $28.9 million in aquatic products and animal products exports. Italy led with textiles and raw materials at $70.6 million and hazelnuts and products at $58.1 million. Romania led with $106.6 million in steel exports, the UK with $122.1 million in electrical and electronics, Norway with $47.5 million in shipyard, yacht, and services, Slovenia with $170.3 million in chemicals and products, China with $114.8 million in mining products, the United Arab Emirates with $607.8 million in jewelry, and Azerbaijan with $4 million in ornamental plants and products exports.