Türkiye's July Exports Reach $25.6 Billion

President of the Türkiye Exporters Assembly Mustafa Gültepe: Automotive and chemicals once again occupied the top two positions in July. However, we see that these two sectors, which are the driving forces of our exports, contracted last month. In July, our automotive exports declined by 6.5 percent, while chemicals exports fell by 11.4 percent. The sectors recording the highest export growth were fresh fruit and vegetables, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and electrical and electronics.

Türkiye concluded July with exports worth $25.6 billion. Exports in the first seven months of 2026 amounted to $161.6 billion, while exports over the last 12 months approached $278.6 billion.

The July export figures were announced in Istanbul by Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat and President of the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM) Mustafa Gültepe.

Mustafa Gültepe recalled that Türkiye had concluded the first half of 2026 with export growth of 3.6 percent, although a substantial portion of this increase stemmed from exchange-rate parity. Emphasising that beginning the second half of the year with growth despite all the challenges was significant, Gültepe continued as follows:

Exports increased by 2.9 percent in July

“According to the General Trade System (GTS) records, we achieved exports worth $25.6 billion in July, representing an increase of 2.9 percent. We thereby recorded the highest July export figure to date. At the same time, we reached our second-highest monthly export volume after December 2025. Exports in the January-July period rose to $161.6 billion, while exports over the last 12 months approached $278.6 billion. We are up by 3.4 percent in both seven-month and 12-month exports. In July, exports increased in 19 of our sectors and declined in seven. Automotive maintained its leading position in the sectoral rankings with exports worth $3.6 billion. Automotive was followed by chemicals with $3 billion, electrical and electronics with $1.8 billion, apparel with $1.58 billion, and ferrous and non-ferrous metals with $1.4 billion. Automotive and chemicals once again occupied the top two positions in July. However, we see that these two sectors, which are the driving forces of our exports, contracted last month. In July, our automotive exports declined by 6.5 percent, while chemicals exports fell by 11.4 percent. The sectors recording the highest export growth were fresh fruit and vegetables, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and electrical and electronics. We recorded growth of 144 percent in fresh fruit and vegetables, 18.4 percent in ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and 15.4 percent in electrical and electronics. Last month, 47 of our provinces increased their exports. A total of 1,108 companies exported for the first time. These companies contributed more than $166 million to our exports. Exchange-rate parity, which made a significant contribution to export growth in the first half of the year, negatively affected our exports in July as it did in June. Last month, we incurred a loss of approximately $290 million due to exchange-rate parity.”

“We have been contending with the challenge of high costs for three years”

Mustafa Gültepe underscored that beginning the second half of the year with growth was important, but that the limited increases achieved in exports did not indicate that business conditions were progressing favourably.

Gültepe continued his remarks as follows:

“Every increase in our exports motivates us and strengthens our determination to attain higher targets. However, we do not overlook a fundamental reality. We have been contending with the challenge of high costs for three years. The competitiveness of many of our sectors is weakening. Exporting is losing its appeal. The number of companies exporting for the first time is declining. We are unable to broaden exports across all our sectors and throughout the wider business base. Our share of global exports is decreasing. Our industry has been losing strength for three years. The risk of premature deindustrialisation is growing. During such a period, we are also experiencing difficulties in accessing financing at affordable costs. The rediscount credit limit has been raised to 5 billion Turkish liras. I once again extend my gratitude to our President. However, there is an immense backlog in these credit facilities. Meanwhile, the cost of borrowing from the market starts at 45-50 percent. On the other hand, we welcomed the Central Bank's decision to extend its 3 percent foreign-exchange conversion support for a further six months. I thank the Central Bank's management for this decision. We also look forward with keen interest to the sector-specific assessment scheduled for October.”

“An unprecedented wave of protectionism is rising across the world”

Mustafa Gültepe emphasised that an unprecedented wave of protectionism was rising across the world and that there was a rapid retreat from free trade. Noting that tariff barriers were being raised higher with each passing day, as demonstrated by the tariffs announced by the United States last week, Gültepe said, “Despite all the challenges, we continue to produce, export and seek new markets for our companies. In July, TİM and the exporters' associations organised two trade delegations, participated in 17 trade fairs and conducted one Ur-Ge activity. In August, we will organise delegations to Brazil, Poland and Syria.”