Turkey's cooperatives boost exports to $47 million in first five months

The Turkish government’s cooperative sector has expanded rapidly, with about 50,000 cooperatives operating across 46 types. Ankara hosts the largest number (708), followed by İzmir (686), İstanbul (493), Muğla (373) and Antalya (341). Under the 2025‑2029 Turkey Cooperative Strategy and the KOOP‑DES support programme, cooperatives received a total of 151.5 million TRY in grants between 2020‑2025 and access to a 4.5 billion‑TRY credit package. Support limits were raised this year, allowing up to 1 million TRY for equipment and up to 150 000 TRY for marketing activities, with personnel subsidies reaching 420 000 TRY per worker.

Export activity has risen sharply: cooperative‑led exports grew from $61.2 million in 2019 to $96.2 million in 2020. In the January‑May 2023 period, 73 cooperatives generated $47 million in overseas sales, marking a continued upward trend. Women‑majority cooperatives receive targeted assistance, reinforcing their role in production, employment and rural development. The sector is positioned as a key driver of small‑producer access to international markets and overall economic growth.