The Chemical Sector Continues to Be One of the Driving Forces of Turkey's Exports
According to data released by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), Türkiye's exports reached $22.5 billion in May 2026. The chemical industry, Türkiye's second-largest exporting sector, continued its growth, reaching approximately $3 billion in exports.
According to data released by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), Turkey's exports reached USD 22.5 billion in May 2026. The chemical industry, Turkey's second-largest exporting sector, continued its growth, reaching approximately USD 3 billion in exports.
The chemical sector's May exports showed a 6.9% increase compared to the same period last year, while the sector's share of Turkey's total exports rose to 15.3%. In the January-May period, chemical exports reached USD 13.8 billion with a 5.3% increase.
V. İbrahim Aracı: "The chemical sector continues to be the driving force of exports"
Vice Chairman of the Istanbul Chemical Substances and Products Exporters Association (İKMİB) V. İbrahim Aracı made the following statement regarding May export performance:
"The chemical sector's achievement of approximately USD 3 billion in exports with a 6.9% increase in May once again demonstrates our sector's competitive strength and resilience in global markets. As one of Turkey's largest exporting sectors, we continue to produce, invest and increase our exports.
In the first five months of the year, we reached approximately USD 14 billion in exports while achieving a 5.3% increase in our shipments. We find this performance particularly valuable given the intense uncertainties in global trade, protectionist trends and geopolitical developments.
As İKMİB, we continue our efforts to increase value-added production, accelerate green transition processes, strengthen access to new markets and bring international investments aimed at our sector to our country. In May, we successfully completed national participation organizations for Interpack 2026 and PLMA's World of Private Label 2026, among the world's leading trade fairs. In the coming period, we will continue to support our exporters through our trade fair organizations, trade delegations and purchasing delegation programs.
Together with our strong production infrastructure, the dynamism of our exporters and support for our sector, we believe the chemical sector will continue to make the highest contribution to Turkey's export targets."
Mineral fuels led product groups in May
In May, mineral fuels, mineral oils and products took the highest share with USD 960 million in chemical substances and products exports. This product group was followed by plastics and plastic products with USD 872.8 million in exports. Inorganic chemicals ranked third with USD 204.6 million in exports.
Other leading product groups in exports were essential oils, cosmetics and soap; pharmaceutical products; paints, varnishes, inks and preparations; rubber and rubber products; miscellaneous chemical substances; organic chemicals and washing preparations.
While the chemical sector continues to increase export performance, it continues to contribute to the Turkish economy through its production capacity, wide product range and effectiveness in international markets.
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