30.09.202607:32:11UTC+00Turkey’s Trade Deficit Widens on Stronger Import Growth

Turkey’s trade deficit widened to $5.24 billion in August 2026, up from $4.28 billion a year earlier, broadly in line with preliminary estimates. Imports rose 10.5% to $28.71 billion, driven primarily by stronger demand for intermediate goods (+14.5%) and consumer goods (+4.1%). China remained Turkey’s largest import partner with $4.71 billion in shipments, followed by Germany ($2.68 billion), Russia ($1.94 billion), the United States ($1.87 billion) and Italy ($1.37 billion).

Exports increased at a slower pace, rising 8.1% to $23.47 billion. Manufacturing goods, which made up 94% of total exports, grew by 6.6%, while agricultural exports surged 27.3% and mining exports climbed 54.7%. Germany was Turkey’s top export destination with $1.76 billion in sales, followed closely by the United States ($1.73 billion) and the United Kingdom ($1.20 billion).

Over the January–August period, the trade deficit widened to $65.79 billion from $60.21 billion, as import growth continued to outstrip export gains.