The Aegean Exporters' Associations (EİB) brought USD 1 billion 643 million 581 thousand into Turkey in May. EİB had recorded exports of USD 1 billion 678 million 974 thousand in May 2024. EİB's exports declined by 2% in May.
Aegean Export Associations (EİB) earned USD 1 billion 643 million 581 thousand in foreign currency for Turkey in May. EİB signed off-take contracts worth USD 1 billion 678 million 974 thousand in May 2024. EİB's exports declined 2% in May.
In May, Turkey's exports rose 2.7% from USD 24.2 billion to USD 24.8 billion.
EİB's agricultural products exports rose 2% from USD 402 million 655 thousand to USD 414 million 580 thousand, while industrial products exports fell 5% from USD 917 million to USD 870 million. The mining sector recorded USD 134.6 million in exports on a flat trajectory.
Iron sector maintains top position
Aegean Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters Association raised its May exports 15% from USD 205 million to USD 237 million while holding the top position. EDDMİB increased its exports 7% to USD 1 billion 71 million in the first five months of 2025, becoming the only association to exceed the USD 1 billion mark in the five-month period.
Tobacco sector posts export growth record
Aegean Tobacco Exporters Association increased its May exports 29% from USD 73.8 million to USD 95.6 million and became the export growth record holder among the 12 exporters associations within EİB.
Aquatic products exports up 5% despite restrictions
Aegean Aquatic Products and Animal Products Exporters Association, though performing below its previous strong results due to recent restrictions on egg exports, succeeded in raising May exports 5% from USD 145.8 million to USD 150.7 million and maintained its top partnership position.
Mining sector in third place for two months
Aegean Mining Exporters Association, following April, again achieved the position of third largest exporter under EİB with USD 134.6 million in May exports. EMİB increased its exports 7% to USD 571.7 million in the January-May 2025 period and surpassed Aegean Ready-Made Clothing and Apparel Exporters Association to claim third place in the five-month period.
Apparel exports reach USD 115.7 million
The ready-made clothing sector is among the most adversely affected sectors from Turkey's Medium-Term Stability Program, launched to bring high inflation down to single digits. Aegean Ready-Made Clothing and Apparel Exporters Association held fourth place with USD 115.7 million in foreign currency inflows.
Vegetable oil exports trending upward
Aegean Cereals, Legumes, Oilseeds and Products Exporters Association, standing out for its performance in vegetable oil exports, raised May exports 23% from USD 85 million to USD 104.7 million. EHBYTİB advanced its exports 12% to USD 483 million in the January-May 2025 period.
Aegean Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Exporters Association, adversely affected by frost, hail and rain in March and April, earned USD 96 million 307 thousand in foreign currency for Turkey in May. EYMSİB's five-month exports totaled USD 473 million 812 thousand.
Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters Association increased its exports 1% from USD 80 million in May 2024 to USD 81 million 269 thousand, while annual exports climbed 7% to USD 1 billion 106 million.
Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association posted USD 72.8 million in May exports, while Aegean Textiles and Raw Materials Exporters Association raised exports 14% from USD 33.7 million to USD 38.4 million.
Aegean Olives and Olive Oil Exporters Association, adversely affected by price contractions following increased global olive oil production in 2025, saw May exports fall 41% from USD 59 million to USD 34.8 million.
Aegean Leather and Leather Products Exporters Association recorded May exports of USD 11 million 122 thousand, down 9%.
Among sectors not represented within EİB associations, the chemical sector achieved the highest exports at USD 158.5 million. The chemical sector, which recorded USD 136 million in exports in May 2024, posted 17% export growth in May.
The automotive industry sector posted USD 94 million in exports, the air conditioning industry sector USD 69 million, the electrical-electronics sector USD 64.8 million, the machinery sector USD 54 million, and the cement, glass and ceramics sector USD 14 million.
Aegean Region exports reach USD 2.9 billion
The Aegean Region raised May 2025 exports 5.4% from USD 2 billion 753 million to USD 2 billion 901 million. The Aegean Region's January-May exports rose 2% from USD 12 billion 743 million to USD 12 billion 999 million.
In May, Izmir accounted for 53% of Aegean Region exports with USD 1 billion 573 million, while Manisa maintained its second-place position with USD 478 million. Denizli, which raised May exports 8% from USD 416 million to USD 448 million, is breathing down Manisa's neck.
Balıkesir raised May exports 97% from USD 71 million in May 2024 to USD 140.7 million in May 2025, becoming the export growth record holder in the Aegean Region and claiming fourth place.
Muğla, the capital of aquatic products exports, raised May exports 11% from USD 105 million to USD 117 million, while Aydın failed to maintain its May 2024 exports of USD 88 million, falling 7% to USD 82.6 million.
Afyonkarahisar, one of Turkey's important marble production and export centers, advanced May exports 29% from USD 29.6 million to USD 38.2 million. Kütahya, standing out for ceramic exports, posted USD 37.7 million in exports, while Uşak, the recycling hub, achieved USD 26.8 million.
EİB Africa exports surpass Middle East
Examining EİB exports by country groups, in May 2025 European Union member states maintained their clear top position with USD 728 million. Americas held second place with USD 226 million while third place changed hands.
While Middle Eastern countries were EİB's third largest export destination in 2024 with USD 141 million, in 2025 African countries became the new third-ranked country group with demand of USD 162.4 million. Exports to African countries recorded the highest growth rate among country groups with 23% increase. African countries were followed by Middle Eastern countries with USD 141 million in exports.
Germany, USA and Italy are top export destinations
Germany maintained its top position in EİB's ranking of countries receiving the most exports, with May exports of USD 152 million. Aegean exporters shipped USD 150 million to the USA, raising exports to Italy 20% from USD 81 million to USD 98 million. These were followed by the United Kingdom with USD 81 million and Spain with USD 78 million.
Eskinazi: "We must take measures to increase production"
Aegean Export Associations Coordinator President Jak Eskinazi, emphasizing that the increase in foreign exchange rates lags far behind inflation figures as a result of Turkey's Medium-Term Stability Program to bring high inflation down to single digits, stated that exporters' capital has eroded, that Turkey's overall export growth is dominated by the automotive sector, and that high import share underlies automotive export growth.
Underlining that the Turkish economy grew 2% in the first quarter of 2025, Eskinazi said: "When we examine growth figures, we see that exports, industry and agriculture sectors have not contributed but have remained in deficit. Employment figures are sending poor signals. As exporters' capital has eroded, recent Central Bank decisions have made credit access difficult. The path to value-added employment-based exports is being cut off. Measures taken to reduce inflation are preparing the end of the country's industry and exports. Current inflation levels show that we have not achieved success in fighting inflation. We must take measures that will increase production."
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