Turkey’s 2026 export totals reach historic highs

Turkey’s export sector posted several record figures in the first half of 2026. The Akdeniz Grain, Legumes, Oilseeds and Products Exporters’ Union reported an export value of $901.3 million from 1.062 million tonnes shipped to 172 countries, contributing 15.41 % of the nation’s total grain‑sector exports. The largest buyers were Iraq, Syria and Iran, with notable growth in Oman, Ukraine and Djibouti.

The Turkey Exporters Assembly (TİM) announced that total export is projected to reach $396 billion in 2025, with a new target of $410 billion for 2025‑2026. E‑export was highlighted as a strategic growth engine: Trendyol received its third consecutive “Export Champion” award, its partners generated over $1.5 billion in e‑export sales in 2024, and the sector invested more than $1 billion in 2025 to expand digital sales channels for SMEs.

Exports from Turkey’s 19 free‑trade zones surged to a six‑month record of $6.6 billion, a 6.2 % increase year‑on‑year, with June alone up 29.5 % to $1.2 billion. Technology‑intensive products now account for 58.9 % of free‑zone exports, and the zones directly employ 86,909 workers. The Ege Free Zone led with $1.688 billion in export value.

Vehicle trade with the European Union hit a new peak of €37 billion in 2025. The EU exported 811,957 new cars to Turkey worth €18.8 billion, while Turkey sent 797,721 new cars to the EU worth €18.2 billion. Electric vehicles comprised 17.4 % of EU‑to‑Turkey car imports and 1.3 % of Turkey‑to‑EU car exports.