Türkiye Earns $2.3 Billion in Exports of Confectionery Products

Turkey achieved strong performance in confectionery exports during the January–October 2025 period, reaching total exports of USD 2.3 billion.

Chocolate confectionery exports rose from USD 830 million to USD 1.303 billion, a 57% increase compared to the same period last year, marking a notable sector achievement. The general confectionery group continued to contribute to the economy with USD 975 million in foreign currency earnings, despite a 7% decline in exports.

Turkey's cereals, legumes, oilseeds and products exports increased 4.4% to USD 10.134 billion during the same period, with confectionery products accounting for a 23% share of this total.

Aegean Region Records 22% Export Growth
Muhammet Öztürk, Chair of the Aegean Cereals, Legumes, Oilseeds and Products Exporters Association, highlighted the region's export success with the following information:

"In the January–October 2025 period, our Association's exports reached USD 947 million, a 16% increase. During the same period, the Aegean Region's confectionery exports rose 22%, climbing from USD 92 million to USD 113 million."

Öztürk listed the most-exported products across Turkey as follows:

-USD 511 million in chewing gum candies

-USD 164 million in other confectionery products

-USD 104 million in pure fructose

The leading export markets were the United States, the United Kingdom and Iraq.

Among Aegean Association exports, crystal sugar emerged as the leading product. Crystal sugar, which generated no exports during the same period last year, provided USD 8.9 million in foreign currency in 2025. Of the USD 18 million in sweetened products exports from the Aegean Association during this period, 50% was accounted for by crystal sugar. Iraq was recorded as the leading export destination for crystal sugar.

Chinese Market Shows Strong Interest in Turkish Confectionery Products
Commenting on the China International Import Expo (CIIE) held 5–10 November 2025, Öztürk described interest in Turkish confectionery products at the fair as follows:

"We observed that Generation Z in China shows keen interest in new flavours. Demand for our halva, Turkish delight, confectionery and chocolate products is highly promising for the coming year. We have already begun preparations to participate with a larger presence at the 2026 CIIE."

Target: USD 3 Billion in 2025, USD 5 Billion in Medium Term
Öztürk outlined the sector's targets as follows:

"For the chocolate confectionery and confectionery products sector, our year-end target for 2025 is USD 3 billion in exports, and in the medium term, we aim to reach USD 5 billion."