Over the past five days, a concerning development has emerged in the realm of Turkey-Israel trade relations. Reports have surfaced indicating that Turkey’s government is either delaying or outright not approving export consignments from Turkey to Israel. This information, relayed by a source familiar with the matter to “Globes,” underscores a palpable strain in the economic ties between the two nations. The implications of these actions are far-reaching, affecting not only bilateral trade but also the operations of agencies working with Israeli importers.
Sources within the import sector have pointed fingers at the Turkish government as the root cause of these delays. The precise duration of this impasse remains uncertain, leaving stakeholders on both ends of the trade spectrum in a state of limbo. Compounding the issue, attempts to pay export duties for consignments from Turkey to Israel have hit a roadblock, with the Turkish website citing errors specifically for exports to Israel.
The repercussions extend beyond mere delays. Shipping lines plying the Turkey-Israel route, despite their continued activity amid ongoing regional tensions, have now begun to stall the departure of ships, hoping for a resolution that would allow the smooth transit of commodities. “Globes” has learned that Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been made aware of the situation and is actively engaging to address the matter.
While these recent developments do not constitute official sanctions, they align with a broader trend of escalating tensions in Turkey’s approach towards trade with Israel. Notably, last January saw Turkey remove Israel from its list of export destination countries, effectively signaling a withdrawal of support for businesses engaging in trade with Israel. This move carries symbolic weight, serving as a warning to Turkish enterprises that the state will not back endeavors involving Israel.
Further exacerbating the rift, the Turkish Ministry of Commerce has ceased supporting joint conferences with Israel, a step that undermines efforts to foster bilateral economic ties. Such measures not only hamper existing trade but also erode the foundation for future cooperation between the two nations.
Economic data reflects the tangible impact of these strained relations. Israeli imports from Turkey declined from $7 billion in 2022 to $5.42 billion in 2023, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics. Similarly, Israeli exports to Turkey dwindled from $2.5 billion in 2022 to $1.5 billion in 2023, painting a picture of declining bilateral trade volumes.
As the situation continues to unfold, it underscores the fragility of economic ties in the face of geopolitical tensions. While efforts are underway to address the current impasse, the long-term trajectory of Turkey-Israel trade relations remains uncertain. For now, stakeholders are left grappling with the fallout of a deteriorating economic partnership, navigating a landscape fraught with uncertainty and disruption.