Turkey's exports to EU rise 21.5 pct in Jan-April

Turkey's exports to European Union countries showed a 21.5 percent annual hike this January-April, the country's statistical authority announced on Thursday.

TurkStat noted that EU member countries' share of Turkey's exports was 51.5 percent in the four-month period, reaching $28.4 billion, while imports from the 28-member EU bloc were $30.3 billion, up 23.3 percent annually.

Official data showed that Turkey's total exports totaled some $55 billion in the same period, a 8.6 percent year-on-year rise, and imports rose 20.8 percent to $82.5 billion.

The country's foreign trade balance showed a $27.4 billion deficit from January to April, a yearly increase of 56.2 percent.

"In April 2018, exports were $13.9 billion, a 7.8 percent increase, and imports were $20.6 billion, a 15.6 percent increase compared with the same month last year," the institute said.

"Last month, the foreign trade deficit was $6.7 billion, with a 35.6 percent yearly increase," it said. "Exports coverage imports was 67.5 percent, while it was 72.3 percent in April 2017."