Turkey Trade Deficit Narrows in September

Turkey’s trade deficit narrowed to $5.23 billion in September 2026 from $6.96 billion in the corresponding month a year earlier, marking the smallest trade shortfall since August 2025, according to preliminary data. Exports increased 15.4% year-on-year to $25.98 billion, marking the highest level since December 2025 and the second-highest on record. Meanwhile, imports rose 5.9% to $31.21 billion. During January-September, the country’s cumulative trade deficit reached $71 billion, with exports increasing 5.2% to $210.97 billion, while imports rose 5.4% to $282 billion.

Turkey’s trade deficit widened to $5.24 billion in August 2026 from $4.28 billion a year earlier, in line with preliminary estimates. Imports jumped 10.5% to $28.71 billion, driven by stronger purchases of intermediate goods (+14.5%) and consumption goods (+4.1%). China was the largest source of imports at $4.71 billion, followed by Germany ($2.68 billion), Russia ($1.94 billion), the US ($1.87 billion) and Italy ($1.37 billion). Exports rose a more modest 8.1% to $23.47 billion, led by manufacturing goods (+6.6%), which accounted for 94% of total exports, alongside strong growth in agricultural (+27.3%) and mining (+54.7%) shipments. Germany was the largest export market at $1.76 billion, followed by the US ($1.73 billion) and the UK ($1.20 billion). In January-August, the trade deficit widened to $65.79 billion from $60.21 billion, as imports continued to outpace exports.

Turkey’s trade deficit widened to $5.24 billion in August 2026 from $4.28 billion in the same month a year earlier, according to preliminary data. Imports rose 10.5% year-on-year to $28.7 billion, mainly from China ($4.7 billion), Germany ($2.1 billion), and the US ($1.9 billion). By sector, imports were mainly from the manufacturing industry (82.4%), mining and quarrying (12%), and agriculture, forestry and fishing (2.9%). Meanwhile, exports increased 8.1% to $23.5 billion, with Germany as the top export destination ($1.8 billion), followed by the US ($1.7 billion) and the UK ($1.2 billion). By sector, exports were dominated by the manufacturing industry (93.5%), agriculture, forestry and fishing (3.2%), and mining and quarrying (2.3%). During January-August, the country’s cumulative trade deficit reached $65.8 billion, with exports rising 4% to $185 billion and imports increasing 5.3% to $250.8 billion.