Iran and Turkey exchanged $335.06 million worth of goods and commodities in November 2020, marking an increase in monthly trade for the second successive month.
According to the latest data released by Turkish Statistical Institute, the neighboring country's November trade with Iran was 5% higher than in November 2019.
This could be interpreted as a sign of recovery in trade between the two neighbors after it declined sharply during the pandemic.
Iran’s exports to Turkey accounted for $121.6 million of the sum, up 26.68% YOY, while Turkey’s exports to Iran stood at $211.464 million, down 4% year-on-year.
Monthly trade between Iran and Turkey fell below $300 million in September, mostly due to a fall in Iran's exports to the neighboring country.
Their bilateral trade stood at $2.93 billion during the first 11 months of 2020 to register a decrease of 50% compared with the corresponding period of 2019.
Iran exported $1 billion worth of goods to Turkey during the period to register a 71% year-on-year decline. Imports from Turkey stood at $1.92 billion, down 22.6% YOY.
Bazargan: Busiest Land Border in Trade
A total of 159,996 trucks crossed Iranian borders during the month ending Dec. 20, said Javad Hedayati, an official with the Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization of Iran.
Noting that Bazargan border crossing in West Azerbaijan Province (northwestern Iran bordering Turkey) was the busiest border terminal in terms of both exports and imports, the official said the second and third busiest border terminal for imports and exports were Jolfa Customs Terminal in East Azarbaijan Province and Astara Customs Terminal in the northern border city of Astara in Gilan Province, respectively.
According to Mojtaba Bazgir, a border official, petrochemical products, different types of industrial and motor oils, paraffin, agricultural products (including watermelons, honeydew, grapes, peanuts, garlic, dates, apples, dried fruit, vegetables and licorice extract), stones, ceramic and glass artifacts, iron and steel scrap, as well as textiles are the main goods exported from Bazargan border crossing.
Imports include mechanical spare parts, electrical devices and machines, cast iron artifacts, iron and steel, plastic products, paint and ink, vehicles, fabric, embroidered and crocheted textiles, aluminum, nickel and other metals, natural rubber and welding machines.
Bazargan is the central city of Bazargan District in Maku County and the most important Iranian land border for importing from and exporting to Turkey.
To stem the spread of Covid-19, Turkey shut its border with neighboring countries, including Iran and Iraq, in March.
The Bazargan border initially opened for trade in May, but restrictions were imposed on incoming and outgoing truck traffic.
According to Spokesman of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration Rouhollah Latifi, 60 Iranian trucks per day were allowed to transfer exports to Turkey from Iran as per new agreements from May 5.
Trucks started arriving at border gates after Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan announced in June that Turkey has reopened the Gurbulak border gate with Iran (known as Bazargan on the Iranian side of the border)
Trucks from Iran started arriving at the Gurbulak customs gate after the announcement and entered Turkey after the completion of necessary procedures. Turkish trucks heading for Iran also started arriving at the border gate.
