EİB's Annual Exports Reach $19 Billion

Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri (EİB) increased its exports by 3 percent over the last 12 months, bringing them to the USD 19 billion level. The union, which has been operating at around USD 18.5 billion in exports for four years, has now exceeded the USD 19 billion threshold for the first time, while achieving the highest monthly export figure in its 87-year history with USD 1.744 billion in exports recorded in June.

Speaking at the "EİB 2026 First Half Assessment Meeting," EİB Coordinator Chairman Muhammet Öztürk noted that despite global economic uncertainties, geopolitical risks and high cost pressures, they maintained strong export performance in the first half of 2026.

Exports to 215 countries and customs territories
Öztürk stated that exports were made to 215 countries and customs territories in the first six months of the year, with exports increasing to 115 of them.

Noting that Germany, the United States and Italy remained the largest export markets, Öztürk indicated that exports to European Union countries rose by 14 percent to USD 4.6 billion, with the EU's share in total exports reaching 49 percent.

Facilitated state support worth TRY 1.56 billion
Öztürk, noting that EİB continues to play an active role in the Ministry of Commerce's export support programs, announced that in the first half of 2026 they facilitated the payment of total state support of TRY 1.568 billion to 2,325 companies and business associations.

Emphasizing that this figure represents a 48 percent increase compared to the same period last year, Öztürk stated that in the second half of the year they would focus on work related to artificial intelligence, digital transformation, sustainability and innovation, with exporters' access to new markets to be supported through international trade fairs, trade delegations and UR-GE projects.

Call for strengthening support mechanisms
Stating that existing support needs to be developed for exporters to maintain their competitive strength, Öztürk called for an increase in foreign exchange conversion support, raising employment support per employee to TRY 5,000, raising rediscount credit limits to TRY 6 billion daily, and continuing corporate income tax relief for producer exporters in 2026.

Noting that they aimed to complete 2026 with exports above USD 19 billion, Öztürk stressed the importance of creating an ecosystem that would enable double-digit export growth through production, investment and export-oriented policies.

Iron and non-ferrous metals sector maintained leadership
The Aegean Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters Association, export champion within EİB for eight years, maintained its leadership position with USD 1.3 billion in exports in the first half of 2026.

Association Chairman Fatih Uysal noted that performance was on track to reach the year-end export target of USD 2.5 billion, emphasizing the importance of structural support regarding access to financing, high production costs and the European Union's new trade policies.

Stating that non-ferrous metals exports increased by 20 percent while steel exports declined by 7 percent due to global overcapacity and price pressure, Uysal indicated that they exported to 182 countries and accelerated market diversification efforts in the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans.

Uysal also noted that the European Union's new trade measures and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism have initiated a new period in the sector, stating that a return to the monthly settlement system is necessary to support green transition investments.

Aegean textile companies advanced through value-added production
The Aegean Textiles and Raw Materials Exporters Association earned Turkey USD 282 million in foreign exchange in the first half of the year, with knitted fabric exports reaching a unit price approximately double Turkey's average.

Association Chairman Turan Göksan noted that the Aegean Region's high value-added production capacity enabled average export unit prices to reach the USD 3.17 level, which is approximately double the national average of USD 1.57.

Göksan stated that investments in sustainable production, digitalization and technical textiles would increase the sector's competitive strength, while also highlighting Turkey's strong position in organic cotton production.

Ministry of Commerce award for UR-GE project
Göksan announced that the Life Cycle Analysis Consultancy application carried out as part of sustainability and digital transformation work was recognized by the Ministry of Commerce with a "Best Practice" award.

Noting that companies' access to new markets was supported through the Techtextile-Texprocess Fair in Germany, the Malaysia UR-GE Overseas Marketing Program and the China Eurasia Expo organization, Göksan stated that with the "Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence-Supported Production in the Textile Sector" UR-GE Project conducted with the participation of 17 companies, they aimed to accelerate the sector's transformation.

Stating that the 2026 targets are to maintain 2025 export levels, Göksan noted that they would continue to increase global competitive strength through investments in technical textiles, sustainable production, digitalization and artificial intelligence.