Türkiye's April Exports Reach $25.4 Billion
President of the Türkiye Exporters Assembly, Mustafa Gültepe: Our exports increased by 22.3% in April, enabling us to achieve the highest April export figure to date. At the same time, we recorded the second-highest monthly export performance in our history. Exports rose by 3% over the first four months and by 4.2% over the past 12 months.
Türkiye recorded exports of $25.4 billion in April. In 2026, exports for the first four months reached $88.6 billion, while exports over the past 12 months climbed to $275.8 billion.
April export figures were announced in Ordu by Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat and President of the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM), Mustafa Gültepe.
Chairman Mustafa Gültepe recalled that they had not achieved the desired level of success in the first quarter of 2026. Emphasizing that the export family delivered a very strong performance in April, Gültepe continued as follows:
“According to General Trade System (GTS) records, we realized exports of $25.4 billion in April. Compared to the same month of 2025, we are up by 22.3%. Thus, we have achieved the highest April export figure ever recorded. At the same time, we delivered the second-highest monthly export performance of all time. Our exports for the first four months rose to $88.6 billion, and our 12-month exports reached $275.8 billion. We are up by 3% in four-month exports and by 4.2% in 12-month exports. Supported by the calendar effect, all 26 of our sectors increased their exports in April. In the sectoral ranking, automotive maintained its leadership with $3.9 billion. It was followed by chemicals with $3.1 billion, electrical and electronics with $1.8 billion, ready-to-wear apparel with $1.451 billion, and steel with $1.438 billion. According to TİM data, 61 of our provinces increased their exports last month. Our top five exporting provinces were İstanbul, Kocaeli, Bursa, Ankara, and İzmir. In April, 1,018 companies exported for the first time, contributing approximately $122 million to our exports. Parity effects also contributed $435 million to our exports last month.”
Exports to Gulf countries increased by 15.6% in April
Mustafa Gültepe reported that exports increased to 166 countries and regions last month, while declining in 54. Noting that the top export destinations were Germany, the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Spain, Gültepe stated: “We reached our highest-ever export volumes in 13 countries, including Germany, Spain, and Indonesia. Naturally, our attention was on the Gulf countries, where our exports had contracted by 37% in March due to the Iran war. Fortunately, the trend in the Gulf region turned upward again in April. Last month, our exports to the region rose by 15.6% to $2.365 billion. I would particularly like to underscore the $300 million increase in our exports to the United Arab Emirates.”
“We believe we will surpass the $282 billion target in 2026”
Assessing current developments, Mustafa Gültepe stated that they continue to organize trade delegations at full pace to connect companies with new markets. Noting that TİM and exporters' associations conducted trade missions in 17 countries in April, Gültepe said:
“Most recently, we held significant meetings in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. We take pride in the strong 'Made in Türkiye' perception across all markets. We welcomed with great satisfaction the 'Türkiye Century Strong Hub for Investment Program' announced by our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. We consider the determination to attract foreign investment to Türkiye extremely valuable. I extend my gratitude to our President for the support provided to production and exports, particularly the corporate tax reduction. Alongside these positive steps, we must swiftly implement measures that will enhance our competitiveness. Once achieved, we can regain strong momentum in production and exports. On the other hand, the extension of the foreign exchange conversion support was also important for us. I would like to thank Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan for the decision to extend the support for an additional three months. I also express my sincere appreciation to our Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat and his deputies for their continued support. We remain fully committed to production and exports. Despite all challenges, I believe we will conclude 2026 above the $282 billion target.”