Exports, real exchange rates and dollarization: empirical evidence from Turkish manufacturing firms

We attempt to uncover the relationship between the real exchange rates and exports shares of manufacturing firms in Turkey by taking into account FX exposures and various firm characteristics. We use a large panel of manufacturing firms to carry out an empirical analysis for the period 2002-2010. Contrary to macro-evidence, firm-level empirical evidence suggests that a depreciation of the Turkish lira seems to favor the external competitiveness of firms in general. We document that a real depreciation of the Turkish lira has a positive impact on export shares and its impact is muted to some extent for firms operating in sectors that use imported inputs intensively. In addition, we estimate that export shares increase as a result of real depreciation for firms having low (naturally hedged) and moderate FX debt-to-export ratios. We do not confirm a strong balance sheet channel where a depreciation of the currency may harm firms' export performance due to currency mismatch. On the contrary, FX borrowing is estimated to support export performance probably due to undermining finance constraints.