Sectoral export competitiveness of Hatay province and impact of the earthquake

Export, which is the most important item of foreign trade, is one of the most important determinants of economic development of countries besides their national incomes. In particular, the composition of exports rather than the total amount and their value on a sectoral basis are much more important for economic development. Because exports with a relatively high added value in the agricultural and industrial sector contribute more to national income and economic development. This situation, which is valid from the point of view of countries, is of course also valid from the point of view of regions and cities of countries. In this context, the purpose of this study is to analyze the export competitiveness of Hatay, one of the most historically, culturally and socio-economically important cities of Turkey, in the agricultural and industrial sector in Turkey. In the study covering the period 2004-2024, the export competitiveness of 13 sub-product groups belonging to the industrial sector and 6 sub-product groups belonging to the agricultural sector of Hatay province were analyzed in a comparative manner. In the analyses, the Revealed Comparative Advantage Coefficients of Balassa (1965) were used for export competitiveness calculations. According to the results obtained, Hatay province had a competitiveness in the industrial sector, especially in the export of Ready-made Clothing and Apparel, Vehicles and Sub-Industries, and Chemical Substances and Products. In the agricultural sector, it had a competitiveness in the export of Cereals, Pulses, Oil Seeds and Their Products, as well as Wood Products and Forest Products. However, the February 6, 2023 earthquake negatively affected the export competitiveness of Hatay province in almost all sectors.