Annual exports of Turkey’s traditional cologne, a powerful disinfectant used by many to ward off the threat of coronavirus, tripled in 2020.
Turkey exported 6.9 million tons of cologne last year, up from 2.4 million in 2019, according to data compiled by Anadolu Agency (AA) from the Istanbul Chemical and Chemical Products Exporters’ Association (IKMIB).
A deep-rooted custom of Turkish hospitality, cologne, known as “kolonya,” gained popularity for its refreshing scent as well as its high alcohol content, which can kill off more than 80% of germs. Kolonya shouldn’t be confused with cologne which in Western countries stands for a type of male perfume.
The country reaped $28.3 million through cologne exports in 2020, more than three times the $9.1 million it earned in 2019, according to IKMIB data.
Germany, the Netherlands, Iraq, the U.S., and the U.K. were the top recipient of Turkish traditional cologne exports, with a 60% total share last year.
Turkish cologne exports to Germany skyrocketed 492%, amounting to $7.8 million in 2020, while leaping 491% to the Netherlands, 291% to Iraq, 246% to the U.K., and 146% to the U.S.
In Turkish tradition, cologne is offered as a refreshing fragrance in various social situations: after a haircut, on a bus ride, after a trip, when guests arrive, or when visiting a sick friend.
