Across Türkiye, the iron and non-ferrous metals sector increased its exports from 23.8 billion dollars in the January–October 2024 period to 24.8 billion dollars in the same period of 2025, marking a 4.2% rise. In contrast, the sector achieved an even stronger performance in the Aegean Region with a 12% increase in exports.
They surpassed the record set in 2022
Yalçın Ertan, Deputy Coordinator Chair of the Aegean Exporters’ Associations and President of the Aegean Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters’ Association, stated that their exports over the past 12 months rose by 9%, increasing from 2.376 billion dollars to 2.584 billion dollars. He noted that they successfully surpassed their previous all-time export record of 2.564 billion dollars set in 2022, exceeding it by 20 million dollars.
Providing further insight into the performance of sub-sectors contributing to exports, Ertan said:
“Our steel profiles group ranked first with exports of 505 million dollars. Rebar exports reached 323 million dollars, while fasteners one of our strong product groups contributed 208 million dollars. In total, our iron and steel exports increased by 10%, rising from 1.439 billion dollars to 1.582 billion dollars. Copper product exports grew by 30%, rising from 247.5 million dollars to 321.5 million dollars, and aluminum exports increased from 108 million dollars to 125.5 million dollars.”
A 243% increase in exports to Morocco
Ertan also shared the top export destinations, noting that Germany maintained its leading position with exports totaling 227 million dollars. Exports to Morocco, a North African country, jumped by a record-breaking 243%, rising from 64 million dollars to 220 million dollars. He continued:
“Thanks to this strong performance, Morocco climbed seven places on our list of top export destinations. Another country where we saw significant growth was Italy, with a 52% increase exports rose from 94 million dollars to 145 million dollars. Exports to the United States, however, decreased from 137 million dollars to 103 million dollars. The United Kingdom ranked fifth with exports of 95 million dollars. Exports to Egypt increased by 67%, rising from 55 million dollars to 92 million dollars. The remaining top 10 destinations were Bulgaria with 91 million dollars, France with 83.8 million dollars, Romania with 77.4 million dollars, and Spain with 77.3 million dollars.”
Our target for 2026: 3 billion dollars
Ertan recalled that the Istanbul Chamber of Industry’s Türkiye Manufacturing Export Climate Index which measures activity conditions in the main export markets of Türkiye’s manufacturing sector rose to 52.4% in October 2025.
He stated:
“The Export Climate Index indicates a clear improvement in export conditions. Growth in our key export markets, especially Germany, Italy, and Spain, gives us optimism. If Türkiye’s exchange rate moves in line with inflation in 2026, and if there is a normalization in general energy expense categories which have increased excessively in recent years (2022–2024) and weakened our competitiveness we believe we can reach 3 billion dollars in exports.”
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