Turkey's exports soar to record $211 billion in first nine months
Turkey's foreign trade ministry reported that exports reached a historic $211 billion from January to September, surpassing its medium-term target.
Speaking in Istanbul, Trade Minister Ömer Bolat said Turkey’s September goods exports rose 15.54% year-on-year to $25.98 billion, bringing the rolling 12-month figure to $283.7 billion, the highest ever recorded. The January-September export total reached $211 billion, overtaking the 2026 Medium-Term Program target of $282 billion despite three months remaining. Services exports for the rolling year hit $125.4 billion, another record.
Imports grew 5.9% to $31.21 billion in September, widening the monthly trade deficit to $5.23 billion, while the nine-month deficit expanded to $71.03 billion. Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek noted that higher commodity prices drove import growth, but the deficit increase was less than expected and one outlet-account gap should stay near 2.6% of GDP.
Why it matters
The surge shows Turkey’s trade sector outpacing its growth targets, influencing the national economy and fiscal outlook.
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