ISTANBUL, April 4. /TASS/. Turkey’s exports hit record high in the first quarter of this year, reaching $22.578 mln in March alone, Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat said.

"Exports hit an all-time high in Q1. In March, exports amounted to $22.578 mln," he was quoted as saying by the TRT Haber TV channel.

Turkey’s imports equaled $30.95 bln last month, with foreign trade deficit standing at $7.72 bln, according to official figures.

Turkey’s exports fell by 4.1% in March year-on-year, while imports lost 5.7%, the Dunya newspaper said.

Last year the country’s exports totaled $255.8 bln, the local authorities said earlier, adding that the result was record as well.