Iran’s trade with Turkey stood at $645.44 million during the first three months of 2020 to register a decrease of 70.03% compared with bilateral exchanges in the corresponding period of the previous year, data released by Turkish Statistical Institute show.
Iran exported $269.64 million worth of goods to Turkey in January, February and March, indicating an 82.87% decline year-on-year.
Imports stood at $375.79 million, down 35.14% YOY.
Iran was Turkey’s 31st biggest trading partner during the period under review. More specifically, Iran was the 26th biggest export destination and 39th biggest exporter of goods to the country during the three months.
Data released by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration on Iran's non-oil trade show liquefied natural gas, non-alloy zinc, aluminum, urea and bitumen were Iran’s main goods exported to Turkey, while Turkey mainly exported cooking bananas, tobacco and fiber during the fiscal 2018-19.
Amid the outbreak of the new coronavirus, Razi border crossing in West Azarbaijan’s Khoy County is the only trade gate between Iran and Turkey that has not been closed down.
“After the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Iran, Turkey closed all road and rail connections as of Feb. 22 to prevent the spread of the disease. After negotiations, our railroad connection was restored on March 16. During the period under review, Iran exported 13,537 tons of commodities to Turkey via 567 cargo wagons and imported 40,375 tons in return via 1,088 wagons," Spokesman of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration Ruohollah Latifi has been quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency.
A total of 18,000 tons of goods worth more than $41 million were exported from this border crossing via 813 cargo wagons during March 20-April 19, showing a sevenfold and 20-fold rise in tonnage and value respectively compared with the similar period of last year.
"All health protocols are being meticulously followed and a disinfection station has been set up at the border so trade between the two sides can continue without a problem,” manager of Razi Rail Customs Department, Seifollah Rasi, has been quoted as saying by IRNA.
The main exported items were polyethylene, urea, copper ingots and watermelons.
“Some 30,000 tons of goods worth around $40 million were transited through Razi border via 1,400 freight wagons over the same period, registering a 2.5-fold increase in weight year-on-year,” he added.
Rasi noted that since the virus outbreak about two months ago, the border crossing has been working round the clock.
A break in fiber optic cable has interrupted Iran-Turkey cross-border trade, IRICA said recently.
“Since March 16, more than 2,500 wagons have carried cargo to and from Turkey via Razi border-crossing that is Iran’s sole rail connection with the neighboring country. However, fiber optic cable damage has hindered customs data communications between the two sides in recent days,” Latifi said.
He called on Iran Telecommunications Company to immediately address the issue, given the fact that all land border-crossings between the two countries are closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
