Turkey's merchandise trade shortfall decreased from last year in March, contrary to economists' forecast for an increase, latest data showed Tuesday.
The trade deficit dropped to $7.39 billion in March from $7.47 billion in the same month a year earlier, the Turkish Statistical Institute said. Economists had forecast the deficit to rise to $8.3 billion.
Export of goods decreased 0.3 percent year-on-year to $13.18 billion in March. Month-on-month, the seasonally and calendar-adjusted exports dropped 3.5 percent.
In March, the main partner country for exports was Germany, followed by Iraq, the United Kingdom and Italy.
The value of imports dropped 0.6 percent annually to $20.56 billion. Compared to February, external purchases decreased by 5.8 percent.
The top country for Turkey's imports was China in March, followed by the Russian Federation and the United States.
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