TRNC’s Exports on the Rise: Halloumi Leads as Top Exported Product

The figures from the 2023 Statistical Yearbook show that exports rose from $87.8 million in 2019 to $176.2 million in 2023. The export volume increased steadily, reaching $106.3 million in 2020, $134.8 million in 2021, $140.4 million in 2022, and finally $176.2 million in 2023.

HALLOUMI REMAINS THE LEADING EXPORT PRODUCT

Halloumi has consistently been the top exported product of the TRNC over the past five years. In terms of dollar value, halloumi accounted for:

• 38.8% of total exports in 2019
• 35.5% in 2020
• 27.9% in 2021
• 32.2% in 2022
• 34.2% in 2023

CITRUS FRUITS FOLLOW IN EXPORT VOLUME

The citrus industry, particularly mandarins, tangerines, clementines, and oranges, also played a significant role in TRNC’s exports.

• Tangerine, mandarin, and clementine exports accounted for 9.9% in 2019, rising to 14.8% in 2020, and fluctuating between 11% and 16.4% from 2021 to 2023.
• Orange exports showed a decline over time, dropping from 12.5% in 2019 to 8.8% in 2023.

SCRAP METAL EXPORTS SHOW FLUCTUATIONS

Non-hazardous scrap metal was another major export item. However, its share in total exports decreased in 2023 after peaking in 2021:

• 6.4% in 2019
• 6.2% in 2020
• 11.5% in 2021
• 10.6% in 2022
• 3.6% in 2023

OTHER DAIRY PRODUCTS FACE DECLINING EXPORTS

Besides halloumi, other dairy products like cheese and lor (a type of curd) were also exported, though their share declined over time:

• 4.4% in 2019
• 4.3% in 2020
• 5.0% in 2021
• 4.4% in 2022
• 1.2% in 2023

TURKEY REMAINS THE LARGEST EXPORT MARKET

Turkey remained the primary export destination for the TRNC, with a significant increase in trade between 2019 and 2023.

• $52.1 million in 2019
• $43.75 million in 2020
• $49.5 million in 2021
• $67.45 million in 2022
• $126.88 million in 2023

Besides Turkey, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United States were among the key export markets.