Türkiye's March Exports Reached $23.4 Billion
Chairman of the Türkiye Exporters Assembly, Mustafa Gültepe: Our exports in the first quarter of 2025 reached $63.3 billion, while our twelve-month exports climbed to $263.4 billion. We recorded a 2.5% increase in quarterly exports and a 2.1% rise over the last twelve months.
Automotive maintained its leading position among the top exporting sectors in March, with $3.5 billion in exports. Chemicals followed with $2.7 billion, and steel ranked third with $1.55 billion.
Türkiye's exports in March amounted to $23.4 billion. Exports for the first quarter of 2025 reached $65.3 billion, while twelve-month exports totaled $263.4 billion.
The March export data were announced in Ankara by Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat and Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM) Chairman Mustafa Gültepe.
Chairman Gültepe noted that with the March figures, the data for the first quarter had also become clear. Emphasizing that although the first quarter ended positively, they fell short of the target, Gültepe continued:
“According to the General Trade System (GTS) records, we achieved $23.4 billion in exports in March, marking a 3.2% increase compared to the same month last year. Our exports in the first quarter of 2025 reached $63.3 billion, and our twelve-month exports stood at $263.4 billion. We observed a 2.5% rise in the first quarter and a 2.1% increase in the twelve-month period. We estimate that our service exports in March will approximate $7.9 billion. In terms of sectors, automotive sustained its leadership with $3.5 billion. It was followed by chemicals with $2.7 billion, steel with $1.55 billion, electrical and electronics with $1.482 billion, and apparel with $1.417 billion. Although not yet in the top five, I would like to highlight the growth in our defense and aerospace exports. Compared to March 2024, we achieved an increase of $526 million in this sector. In automotive, the rise was $297 million, and in cereals, $88 million. Seven sectors, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, hazelnuts, and jewelry, have posted positive figures for three consecutive months. Meanwhile, six sectors—apparel, machinery, and carpets among them—closed the first quarter in the negative.”
1,141 New Companies Joined the Export Family in March
According to TİM data based on the legal headquarters of companies, Gültepe reported that 50 provinces increased their exports last month. The top five exporting provinces were İstanbul, Kocaeli, Bursa, Ankara, and İzmir. “Çankırı achieved the highest export value in its history. In March, 1,141 companies exported for the first time. Their contribution to exports remained limited at $72.2 million. In the first quarter, 3,275 companies joined our export family, contributing a total of $380 million. Last month, our unit export value rose to $1.49, while exchange rate fluctuations caused a loss of $52.2 million. In the first three months, our exchange rate-related losses reached $859 million,” he stated.
Record Monthly Export Values Achieved in 10 Countries
Gültepe reported that the top export destinations last month were Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, and France. He noted that they recorded export growth above 50% in 56 countries and above 10% in 99 countries. He also underscored that Türkiye achieved its highest-ever exports to 10 countries, including Romania, Indonesia, Portugal, and Malaysia.
WE MUST STRENGTHEN OUR COMPETITIVENESS TO GAIN ADVANTAGE IN THE U.S. MARKET
Commenting on recent developments, Gültepe recalled that U.S. President Donald Trump's newly announced tariff scheme includes Türkiye among the countries to be subject to a minimum 10% tax. He pointed out that this may offer an advantage for Türkiye and continued:
“Compared to our Asian competitors, we seem to have gained a favorable position regarding customs tariffs. However, we must first enhance our competitiveness. The U.S. is one of our most significant trade partners—our second-largest export market. In 2024, we exported $16.3 billion and imported $16.2 billion from the U.S., indicating a balanced trade volume of $32.5 billion. In the new period, we have initiated sector-based efforts to shift this balance in our favor. To achieve our 2028 export target of $375 billion, we must expand our market share in the U.S. We have the potential to do so. If we regain our competitive strength, we can achieve a rapid breakthrough in exports to the U.S.”
TİM TO ORGANIZE A TRADE DELEGATION TO CHINA THIS MONTH
Gültepe announced that they are continuing trade delegation programs at full pace to enhance market diversification. He stated that a comprehensive trade mission was organized to Bulgaria in March and added, “This month, we will head to China. In May, we will organize delegations to Albania, the U.S., South Africa, Tunisia, Iraq, and Spain. Registrations for these missions are ongoing. I once again invite all our companies to participate in our trade delegations.”