Türkiye's April 2026 Exports Reach $25.4 Billion, Second-Highest Monthly Record; Automotive Leads at $3.9 Billion
Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced Türkiye's April 2026 foreign trade data. Exports rose 22.3% year over year to $25.4 billion, marking the second-highest monthly export figure in the history of the Republic, behind only December 2025's $26.3 billion. Bolat said April's 22.3% surge was the strongest monthly increase in 52 months. Annualized goods exports reached $275.8 billion, with combined goods and services exports climbing to $398 billion.
According to data from the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM), industrial-group exports rose 23.4% to $18.3 billion, accounting for 82.2% of Türkiye's total exports. Automotive led all industrial sectors with $3.9 billion, followed by chemicals at $3.1 billion and electrical and electronics at $1.8 billion. Automotive exports grew 22.7% year over year, while the largest proportional jump came from shipbuilding, yachts and services at 172.4%.
Agricultural exports rose 18.4% to $3.3 billion, representing 14.7% of total exports, while mining exports grew 43% to $678.2 million. Türkiye expanded exports to 166 countries and regions, while 54 markets contracted. Germany remained the top destination at $1.9 billion, followed by Italy at $1.3 billion and the United States, also at $1.3 billion. Among Turkish provinces, Istanbul led with $8.5 billion, ahead of Kocaeli at $2.3 billion and Bursa at $1.7 billion.
On the defense front, Defense Industries Agency (SSB) Head Haluk Görgün announced that defense and aerospace exports grew 28% in the first four months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, reaching $2.871 billion. April alone accounted for $962 million in defense and aerospace shipments. Görgün attributed the performance to high-value-added manufacturing capacity, combat-proven systems and a sustainable export strategy.
From a supply-chain perspective, the April figures show Turkish manufacturers maintained output and shipments despite global geopolitical turbulence, freight cost spikes from the US-Iran crisis, and the Trump administration's 25% auto and truck tariffs on the EU. Germany's continued lead reinforces Türkiye's position in the European automotive supply chain, while the 172.4% surge in shipbuilding signals that Turkish yards are absorbing growing newbuilding demand from European owners. Currency parity effects added $435 million to April export receipts.
Key Takeaways:
1. Türkiye's April 2026 exports rose 22.3% to $25.4 billion, the second-highest monthly figure in the history of the Republic.
2. Automotive led all industrial sectors with $3.9 billion in exports, growing 22.7% year over year.
3. Shipbuilding, yachts and related services posted the largest proportional jump at 172.4%, signaling strong European newbuilding demand for Turkish yards.
4. Top destinations were Germany ($1.9B), Italy ($1.3B) and the United States ($1.3B); Istanbul led provinces with $8.5 billion in exports.
5. Defense and aerospace exports grew 28% in the first four months to $2.871 billion, with April alone contributing $962 million.
