Türkiye’s annualized goods exports reached a record $283.7 billion in September, surpassing the government’s $282 billion target for 2026, Trade Minister Ömer Bolat said.
Speaking at a meeting in Istanbul where September foreign trade figures were announced, Bolat said monthly goods exports rose 15.4% year-on-year to $26 billion.
September’s figure marked the highest export performance ever recorded for the month and the second-highest monthly export figure in the history of the Republic of Türkiye. The record remains $26.3 billion, recorded in December 2025.
Exports in the January-September period increased 5.2% year-on-year to $211 billion, also marking a record. On an annualized basis, goods exports rose by $14.1 billion over the past 12 months to reach $283.7 billion, exceeding the 2026 Medium-Term Program target of $282 billion with three months remaining in the year.
Goods and services exports reach $409.1 billion
Annualized services exports stood at $125.4 billion as of September, according to Bolat. Combined annualized goods and services exports reached $409.1 billion.
Bolat noted that the government’s year-end target for combined goods and services exports is $410 billion, leaving approximately $900 million to reach the target.
He also said the government expects the current account to post a surplus in August and September.
High- and medium-high-tech exports hit record
Exports of medium- and high-technology products reached an all-time high of $117.6 billion, accounting for 43.7% of total exports.
The figure represents an increase of $5.6 billion compared with the previous year, Bolat said.
Export-import coverage ratio rises to 83.2%
Bolat said exports increased in 19 of 26 sectors in September and in 18 sectors during the January-September period.
As of September, annualized goods exports had reached record levels in five regions, 46 countries and 23 product categories.
The foreign trade deficit narrowed from $28.5 billion in the first quarter to $24.5 billion in the second quarter and $17.5 billion in the third quarter.
The export-import coverage ratio rose to 83.2% in September, compared with 74.8% for the January-September period.
Imports rise 5.9% in September
Türkiye’s imports increased 5.9% year-on-year to $31.2 billion in September. Bolat said exports increased by $3.5 billion year-on-year, while imports rose by $1.7 billion.
During the first nine months of the year, imports reached $282 billion, while exports stood at $211 billion, resulting in a foreign trade deficit of approximately $71 billion.
On an annualized basis, imports reached $379.7 billion, bringing the annualized foreign trade deficit to $96 billion.
Bolat said that despite higher energy costs and the effects of geopolitical developments, the annualized foreign trade deficit had increased by $3.8 billion compared with the $92.2 billion recorded at the end of 2025.
The minister described the first nine months of 2026 as a strong period for Türkiye’s exports, noting that export growth continued despite challenging conditions in the global economy, the region and major markets including Europe.
Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök