Under the “Target Countries Strategy for Exports” implemented by the Ministry of Trade, Türkiye aims to increase exports not only to its existing markets but also to strategically important countries.
Within the scope of the strategy, target countries are identified based on factors including their position in global e-commerce, market access conditions, geographical distance and Türkiye’s export policies. Companies exporting to target countries receive various forms of support, including promotional activities, order fulfillment services, sector-specific trade and purchasing delegations, and marketplace commission expenses.
A total of 60 countries, including Germany, the US, the UK, China, Italy, France, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico and Peru, are among Türkiye’s target export markets.
$94 billion in exports in the first half
According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), Türkiye exported a total of $94 billion to the 60 target countries during January–June 2026.
Imports from these target countries amounted to $139.3 billion during the same period. As a result, Türkiye’s total foreign trade volume with its target markets reached $233.3 billion in the first half of the year.
Germany was Türkiye’s largest export market among the target countries, with exports totaling $11.2 billion. Germany was followed by the US with $8.5 billion, the UK with $8 billion, Italy with $7.2 billion and France with $5.7 billion.
$60 billion trade target with Germany
Germany, Türkiye’s most important trading partner among NATO countries, is also one of Türkiye’s priority markets in terms of investment and production. The two countries aim to increase their bilateral trade volume to $60 billion.
The value of Turkish companies’ investments in Germany is approaching $3 billion, while Turkish contracting companies have undertaken 397 projects in the country to date, with a total value exceeding $2.8 billion.
Türkiye and the US, meanwhile, have set a target of $100 billion in bilateral trade. Recent discussions between the two countries have focused on cooperation in sectors including home appliances, textiles, automotive, tourism, technology and nuclear energy, as well as the development of partnerships in third countries.
The US is Türkiye’s second-largest export market and fifth-largest import market.
FTA negotiations with the UK continue
Trade relations between Türkiye and the UK cover not only goods trade but also sectors and areas including automotive, textiles and ready-to-wear, machinery, services, investment and digital trade.
Negotiations are continuing to modernize the existing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries, with the aim of expanding its scope to include new areas, particularly digital trade and investment.
Trade relations between Türkiye and Italy continue across various sectors, particularly automotive, plastics, machinery and fashion products. More than 1,600 Italian companies operate in Türkiye, while their total investments in the country are approaching $3.5 billion.
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