Trkiye's exports rose to $21.7 billion in May, marking an all-time record for that month as the figure climbed 14.4% annually, the country's minister of trade announced Friday.

Exports since the beginning of the year totaled $102.5 billion, Mehmet Mus said in a press conference in Ankara, noting that last month's imports rose 16% to $34.3 billion.

Energy imports declined 23.6% to $5.3 billion in May, he added, while imports of gold rose by 114.1% to $3 billion.

Mustafa Gultepe, head of the Turkish Exporters' Assembly, said the 12-month rolling figure for exports amounted to $254.4 billion, with an annual increase of 4.9%.

He said the automotive sector reported the most exports at $3 billion in May, followed by chemicals at $2.5 billion and apparel at $1.7 billion.

Source: Anadolu Agency