The picture in Türkiye’s import and export report continues to be confusing. While exports increased strongly in September, TİM’s quantity-based data revealed a different picture. Türkiye’s exports increased by 15.4 percent in September compared to the same month last year, reaching 25 billion 976 million dollars. Imports increased by 5.9 percent and reached 31 billion 208 million dollars. While the foreign trade deficit was approximately 5.2 billion dollars in September; The ratio of exports to imports increased to 83.2 percent. Thus, September became one of the strongest export months of the year.
WE HAD A DEFICIT OF 71 BILLION DOLLARS
While exports increased by 5.2 percent in the January-September period, reaching 210 billion 973 million dollars. In the same period, imports increased by 5.4 percent and reached 281 billion 998 million dollars. The nine-month foreign trade deficit was recorded as approximately 71 billion dollars. In terms of sectors, automotive ranked first in exports with 3.9 billion dollars in September. Chemical substances exported 3.1 billion dollars, and the electrical-electronics sector exported 2.1 billion dollars.
WE DECREASED IN NUMBER BASIS
According to TİM data, there was an increase in exports in 19 of 26 sectors in September. While 56 provinces increased their exports, 1,015 companies exported for the first time. Germany, the USA and the United Kingdom were among the top export countries. However, while the export amount increased, there was a decrease on the quantity side. According to TİM, the export amount decreased by 0.6 percent in September compared to the same month of the previous year. In the January-September period, the decrease in quantity reached 2 percent. Thus, while the export value increased, there was a decrease in the amount of products sent to foreign markets.
COMPETITIVE PRESSURE INCREASED
TİM has been drawing attention to the cost pressure of exporters for months. High financing costs, labor costs and the difference between the exchange rate and production costs are among the main problems on the agenda of exporters. It is stated that competitive pressure is increasing especially in ready-made clothing, textile, leather, furniture and similar labor-intensive sectors. While export revenues are declining in some sectors, it is stated that companies are having difficulty maintaining prices in foreign markets.
IMPORTS ARE INCREASING
Analst-Economics Expert Barlas Yurtsever said, “While export revenue increased in the first nine months of 2026, imports also continued to increase. While the foreign trade deficit of approximately 71 billion dollars was maintained, the 2 percent decrease in the export amount was one of the remarkable indicators of the year.”
