Turkey's Trade Deficit Rises 11.2% in January Despite Drop in Exports
In January, Turkey's trade deficit widened by 11.2% due to a drop in exports while imports remained steady.
Key Information
In January 2026, Turkey experienced an 11.2% year-on-year increase in its trade deficit. This deterioration is due to a 3.9% decrease in exports, while imports remained largely stable. The total trade volume thus declined by 1.7%, according to official data announced by the Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat.
Key Points
- Turkish exports fell to $20.3 billion in January 2026, while imports remained nearly unchanged at $28.7 billion.
- The trade deficit widened because of the drop in overseas sales, despite total trade amounting to $49 billion.
- Turkey maintained strong integration with the European Union through the customs union, resulting in a trade surplus of over $1 billion with the bloc.
Context and Issues
The customs union linking Turkey to the EU facilitates the free movement of goods and alignment with European technical regulations, thereby stabilizing trade flows. In 2025, Turkey's share of global exports reached 1.05%, with a net growth in export value of $11.7 billion. Exports of medium- and high-technology products increased to represent 43.5% of the total, reflecting an industrial move upmarket—especially with a record $10 billion in the defense sector.
Impact for Professionals
For Turkish exporters, maintaining competitiveness depends on concluding new trade and preferential agreements within the customs union framework. Importers will benefit from stable customs rules and uninterrupted trade with the EU. Freight forwarders and customs brokers should keep a close watch on regulatory developments related to these agreements to optimize procedures and ensure compliance.
Next Steps
Turkey continues its ambition to expand its trade agreements while honoring its commitments with the EU. Economic operators must track government initiatives and ongoing negotiations to adapt to new opportunities and constraints. Monitoring quarterly indicators will be essential to anticipate fluctuations in foreign trade.
La Turquie confirme son rôle stratégique dans les échanges euro-méditerranéens tout en devant relever le défi du ralentissement de ses exportations.
(Translation: Turkey confirms its strategic role in Euro-Mediterranean trade exchanges, while facing the challenge of slowing exports.)
Sources cited
- Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah