Turkish exports to Qatar have tripled from their normal levels to $32.5 million since four Arab countries began boycotting the Gulf state on June 5, Turkey's Customs and Trade Minister Bülent Tüfenkçi said late on Thursday.
"Since June 5 exports to Qatar have amounted to $32.5 million. Of this $12.5 million is food. This figure is three times the normal level," Tüfenkçi told reporters at a Ramadan iftar (fast-breaking) dinner on Thursday evening.
Turkey has sent more than 100 cargo planes of supplies to Qatar but Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci has said it was not sustainable to maintain supplies through an air lift.
On Thursday, Turkey sent its first ship carrying food to Qatar and dispatched a small contingent of soldiers and armoured vehicles there, while President Tayyip Erdoğan spoke with Saudi Arabia's leaders on calming tension in the region.
The ship left the Aegean port of Aliağa in İzmir province with around 4,000 tons of fruit, vegetables and other foodstuffs on board and expected to arrive in 10 days.
