Turkey Biggest Trade Partners in 2025: Latest Insights & Expert Evaluation

In 2025, Turkey’s biggest trade partners play a key role in shaping its economy. Countries like Germany, China, Russia, the United States, and Italy drive most of Turkey’s trade in goods such as cars, machinery, textiles, and energy. This article takes a closer look at how these partnerships support Turkey’s growth, strengthen its industries, and connect it to global markets.

The insights are analyzed by TradeInt, a leading global trade intelligence platform that maps real shipment data and company connections across 400 million businesses worldwide. With verified global trade data from TradeInt, we offer a clear picture of how Turkey’s global trade network is evolving, and what that means for its future growth.

Who are Turkey biggest trade partners in 2025?

According to TradeInt’s global import export database, Turkey biggest trade partners are Germany, China, Russia, the United States, and Italy, dominating its external trade landscape. Germany remains Turkey’s most balanced and strategic partner, while China and Russia stand out for their significant import volumes. The United States and Italy maintain diversified bilateral exchanges, reinforcing Turkey’s role as a key trade hub linking Europe and Asia.

Turkey’s total trade performance from January to July 2025 reflects its dynamic global connections, with exports reaching US$156 billion and imports totaling US$212 billion.

Who is Turkey's biggest trading partner?

1. Germany – Exports: $12.89B, Imports: $17.65B, Total: $30.54B

• Germany is Turkey’s largest overall trade partner and its top export destination. Bilateral trade remains well-balanced, driven by automotive parts, machinery, and manufactured goods.

1. China – Exports: $1.80B, Imports: $28.60B, Total: $30.40B

• Despite being only Turkey’s 22nd export destination, China tops the import list, supplying electronics, machinery, and intermediate goods essential for Turkey’s manufacturing base.

1. Russia – Exports: $3.78B, Imports: $25.26B, Total: $29.04B

• Russia is a major supplier of energy and raw materials to Turkey. The trade balance is heavily import-weighted, reflecting Turkey’s dependence on Russian oil and natural gas.

1. United States – Exports: $9.41B, Imports: $10B, Total: $19.41B

• The U.S. maintains steady trade with Turkey, supported by exports of defense equipment, aircraft parts, and agricultural goods, alongside imports of Turkish textiles and machinery.

1. Italy – Exports: $7.73B, Imports: $9.53B, Total: $17.26B

• Italy remains a key EU partner with balanced trade, led by machinery, vehicles, and chemicals on both sides.

1. France – Exports: $6.27B, Imports: $7.79B, Total: $14.05B

• France continues to be a stable European partner, engaging mainly in automotive, defense, and aerospace trade.

1. United Kingdom – Exports: $9.87B, Imports: $4.12B, Total: $13.98B

• The UK is Turkey’s second-largest export destination, primarily for textiles, vehicles, and consumer goods, giving Turkey a notable trade surplus.

#1. Turkey Trade Partner: Germany - US$30.5 billion

Data from TradeInt, the global trade insights platform, revealed that total trade between Turkey and Germany reached US$30.5 billion from January to July 2025, reinforcing Germany’s position as Turkey’s largest and most balanced trade partner.

The two nations maintain deep industrial interdependence, particularly in the automotive, machinery, and manufacturing sectors, with high-value goods moving in both directions. Specifically, Germany remains a top supplier of industrial machinery and medical products, while Turkey exports motor vehicles, parts, and textiles.

Top 5 Turkey exports to Germany (Jan–Jul 2025)

• Parts and accessories of motor vehicles (HS 8708) – Valued at US$950.67 million, this category represents the backbone of Turkey’s industrial exports, linking directly to Germany’s automotive manufacturing network.
• Freight motor vehicles (HS 8704) – Worth US$766.10 million, Turkey continues to serve as a regional hub for commercial vehicle production, supplying trucks and transport vehicles to the German market.
• Motor vehicles for carrying people (HS 8703) – At US$728.48 million, this highlights Turkey’s growing competitiveness in producing passenger cars and light vehicles for European buyers.
• Parts for engines (HS 8409) – Totaling US$612.52 million, these exports underline Turkey’s vital role in the engine component supply chain for German automakers.
• Knitted or crocheted T-shirts (HS 6109) – With US$322.75 million, Turkey remains a major textile exporter to Germany, particularly in fast-moving apparel and retail goods.

Top 5 Turkey Imports to Germany (Jan–Jul 2025)

• Motor vehicles for carrying people (HS 8703) – Valued at US$3.71 billion, Germany is Turkey’s dominant supplier of high-end passenger vehicles and luxury automotive brands.
• Parts and accessories of motor vehicles (HS 8708) – Worth US$846.31 million, these imports feed directly into Turkey’s domestic automotive assembly and manufacturing operations.
• Generator sets and rotary converters (HS 8502) – With US$403.34 million, these products support Turkey’s growing demand for industrial power and energy generation equipment.
• Jewelry, gold and silverware (HS 7113) – At US$403.25 million, this reflects steady bilateral trade in high-value luxury and metal goods.
• Parts dedicated for engines (HS 8409) – Totaling US$381.73 million, these imports demonstrate Germany’s continued dominance in precision engineering and automotive technology exports to Turkey.

What Does Turkey imports from and exports to Germany the most?

The trade relationship between Turkey and Germany represents one of the most structured and strategically driven bilateral partnerships in Europe.

Beyond the sheer trade value, reaching US$47.05 billion in 2024, this partnership is reinforced through consistent political dialogue, sustained investment flows, and shared economic objectives. Both countries have successfully institutionalized their cooperation through regular Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) meetings, bilateral summits, and private-sector forums that ensure policy continuity and market predictability even amid shifting global conditions.

A defining feature of this relationship is its mutual investment ecosystem. The AA news reported that between 2005 and 2024, Germany invested US$12.8 billion in Turkey, while Turkish investors contributed US$4.2 billion to the German economy. This reciprocal flow of capital underscores a long-term confidence in industrial integration, particularly in sectors like automotive, renewable energy, and manufacturing.

On the policy level, both governments are now aligning their trade relationship with forward-looking agendas such as green transformation, supply-chain resilience, and defense cooperation. These priorities were reaffirmed during the 2024 visits of German and Turkish leaders, where both sides set an ambitious US$60 billion trade target.

In essence, Germany’s role among Turkey’s biggest trade partners is not only quantitative, it is institutional, strategic, and forward-looking, marking it as the anchor of Turkey’s long-term integration into the European and global trade system.

#2. Turkey Trade Partner: China - US$30.4 billion

What does Turkey trade the most with China?

Yes, total trade between Turkey and China reached nearly US$30.4 billion from January to July 2025, making China one of Turkey’s biggest trade partners and its leading source of imports, TradeInt’s global trade database reveals. In particular, Turkey primarily imports high-value industrial and technological goods from China while exporting raw materials, minerals, and semi-processed commodities in return.

Top 5 Turkey exports to China (Jan–Jul 2025)

• Jewelry, gold, and silverware (HS 7113) – Valued at US$340.76 million, this category leads Turkey’s exports to China, reflecting the country’s rising demand for precious metals and processed jewelry products.
• Inorganic chemicals (HS 2800) – Worth US$268.25 million, these exports represent Turkey’s growing contribution to China’s chemical and manufacturing sectors, including materials used in electronics and industrial production.
• Marble and travertine stones (HS 2515) – At US$202.18 million, Turkey continues to supply China’s construction and interior design markets with premium natural stone materials.
• Precious metal ores and concentrates (HS 2616) – Reaching US$141.96 million, these exports highlight Turkey’s role in providing raw materials for China’s refining and jewelry industries.
• Copper ore and concentrate (HS 2603) – Totaling US$113.48 million, copper exports feed China’s massive electronics and energy infrastructure manufacturing base.

Top 5 Turkey Imports to China (Jan–Jul 2025)

• Telephones and communication equipment (HS 8517) – With imports worth US$1.77 billion, this is Turkey’s top import category from China, reflecting the dominance of Chinese-made electronics and mobile devices.
• Automatic data processing machines and parts (HS 8471) – Valued at US$1.35 billion, these imports illustrate Turkey’s dependence on Chinese IT and digital infrastructure components.
• Motor vehicles for carrying people (HS 8703) – At US$1.09 billion, this category signals China’s growing footprint in Turkey’s automotive market through affordable electric and passenger vehicles.
• Storage batteries, including lithium batteries (HS 8507) – Worth US$679.77 million, these imports underscore China’s leadership in energy storage and electric vehicle battery technologies.
• Flat-rolled iron and steel products (HS 7208) – Reaching US$609.30 million, this segment supports Turkey’s construction and manufacturing industries through competitively priced Chinese steel supplies.

Between 2001 and 2024, bilateral trade between Turkey and China surged from US$1 billion to nearly US$45 billion, underscoring a twentyfold increase in less than three decades. This expansion has been complemented by Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in Turkey exceeding US$5 billion by 2024, targeting high-impact sectors such as automotive, renewable energy, and telecommunications.

A defining milestone came with BYD’s US$1 billion investment to establish a production plant in Turkey capable of manufacturing 150,000 electric and hybrid vehicles per year. The project not only reflects the deepening industrial integration between the two economies but also demonstrates China’s strategic approach to circumvent EU tariffs while leveraging Turkey’s advantageous customs union access and logistics links to Europe. Similarly, Chinese firms in the renewable energy and smartphone manufacturing sectors have signaled a long-term commitment to Turkey as a regional base for production and technology transfer.

At the policy level, Ankara and Beijing have institutionalized cooperation through platforms such as the Joint Working Group on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Middle Corridor (MC) harmonization, first convened in Beijing in November 2024.

The objective is to synchronize infrastructure, transport, and logistics projects that connect Europe to Asia via Turkey. Despite mixed results, such as progress on the Ankara–Istanbul High-Speed Railway but delays on the Edirne–Kars railway, both governments continue to view this alignment as crucial for regional connectivity.

Meanwhile, Turkey is broadening its participation in multilateral frameworks like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS, signaling a deliberate pivot toward diversified economic alliances.

In parallel, new export protocols, covering aquatic products, almonds, and other agricultural goods, reflect efforts to rebalance the trade structure by opening the vast Chinese consumer market to Turkish producers. Collectively, these developments highlight a pragmatic shift: from transactional trade to a strategic partnership anchored in supply-chain integration, infrastructure connectivity, and investment-led cooperation.

#3. Turkey Trade Partner: Russia - US$29 billion

What Turkey exports to Russia the most?

Turkey’s exports to Russia focus on food, vehicle parts, and chemical products that support Russia’s domestic market amid shifting global trade dynamics, with total trade amounting to US$29 billion from January to July 2025, TradeInt’s global trade database highlighted.

Top 5 Turkey exports to Russia (Jan–Jul 2025)

• Fresh or dried citrus fruits (HS 0805) – Valued at US$162.03 million, citrus fruits remain Turkey’s flagship agricultural export to Russia, supported by long-term supply chains in fresh produce.
• Parts and accessories of motor vehicles (HS 8708) – At US$146.04 million, Turkey continues to serve as a reliable supplier for Russia’s automotive and machinery sectors.
• Frozen fish, excluding fillets (HS 0303) – With exports of US$140.02 million, Turkey maintains its position as a key provider of seafood to the Russian market.
• Fresh apricots, cherries, peaches, and plums (HS 0809) – Worth US$120.33 million, this category highlights Turkey’s strong presence in high-quality fruit exports, leveraging its regional agricultural advantage.
• Fresh and cold fish, excluding fillets (HS 0302) – Totaling US$89.23 million, these exports reflect Turkey’s growing seafood trade integration with Russia.

Top 5 Turkey Imports to Russia (Jan–Jul 2025)

• Other mineral or chemical products (HS 2799) – Reaching US$10.02 billion, this broad category underscores Russia’s dominance as Turkey’s main supplier of industrial inputs and energy-related chemicals.
• Petroleum and oils extracted from bituminous minerals (HS 2710) – Valued at US$6.04 billion, petroleum remains central to Turkey’s import portfolio, reflecting its dependence on Russian energy.
• Coal and briquettes (HS 2701) – Worth US$1.81 billion, Russia continues to be Turkey’s top coal supplier, vital for electricity generation and industrial usage.
• Semi-finished iron and non-alloy steel products (HS 7207) – At US$844.79 million, these imports feed Turkey’s construction and manufacturing industries.
• Copper wire (HS 7408) – Totaling US$626.34 million, this category illustrates Russia’s role in supplying essential raw materials for Turkey’s electrical and industrial sectors.

The Turkey–Russia trade relationship between 2024 and 2025 reflects a deep but increasingly delicate balance between economic interdependence and geopolitical constraints.

Despite a minor contraction in 2024, when trade reached US$52.6 billion, down 7% from the previous year, Russia remains one of Turkey’s biggest trade partners, ranking second behind China. The trade gap remains substantial, with Turkey importing around US$44 billion from Russia while exporting only US$8.56 billion, largely due to Turkey’s persistent dependence on Russian energy and raw materials.

However, Western pressure has increasingly constrained Ankara’s room for maneuver. Turkish banks began blocking payments from Russian companies in early 2024, a response to U.S. secondary sanction threats, signaling Turkey’s intent to preserve access to Western financial systems while balancing relations with Moscow.

Despite these pressures, energy cooperation remains central.

From February 2023 to 2024, Turkey’s imports of Russian fuel rose by 105%, making it the world’s largest importer of Russian oil products, accounting for 72% of Turkey’s total oil imports and 21% of Russia’s global fuel exports. This mutual dependency has incentivized new projects like the proposed Istanbul natural gas hub, jointly developed by Gazprom and BOTAŞ, aimed at transforming Turkey into a key energy trading center for Europe and Asia.

#4. Turkey Trade Partner: The U.S. - US$19.4 billion

What does the USA import from Turkey the most?

The answer lies in a mix of high-value industrial parts, refined materials, and cultural exports like carpets and jewelry that blend craftsmanship with economic value.

Top 5 Turkey exports to the United States (Jan–Jul 2025)

• Jewelry, gold, and silverware (HS 7113) – Valued at US$510.3 million, Turkey’s strong tradition in jewelry making continues to thrive in the U.S. market, combining luxury demand with competitive pricing.
• Turbojet and turboprop engines (HS 8411) – At US$470.6 million, this reflects Turkey’s integration into aerospace manufacturing supply chains serving American defense and aviation industries.
• Petroleum and mineral oils (HS 2710) – Worth US$392.5 million, these refined energy exports underscore Turkey’s evolving downstream capacity and re-export role in regional fuel markets.
• Parts and accessories of motor vehicles (HS 8708) – Totaling US$379.8 million, these products reinforce Turkey’s status as a trusted automotive supplier for U.S. manufacturers.
• Woven carpets and textile floor coverings (HS 5702) – With US$367.5 million, traditional exports like carpets remain emblematic of Turkey’s cultural and industrial craftsmanship.

Top 5 Turkey imports from the United States (Jan–Jul 2025)

• Steel waste and scrap (HS 7204) – Reaching US$758.5 million, steel imports are vital for Turkey’s domestic construction and heavy industry, sustaining its infrastructure and export sectors.
• Aircraft, helicopters, and spacecraft (HS 8802) – Valued at US$551.1 million, this category reflects ongoing U.S.–Turkey defense cooperation and aerospace technology transfer.
• Uncarded cotton (HS 5201) – At US$496.1 million, American cotton remains indispensable to Turkey’s large textile manufacturing base.
• Turbojet and turboprop engines (HS 8411) – Worth US$490.6 million, these imports complement bilateral industrial collaboration in aviation.
• Primary shape polymers (HS 3901) – Totaling US$385.8 million, polymer imports fuel Turkey’s plastics, construction, and packaging sectors, strengthening downstream manufacturing capacity.

The Turkey–United States trade relationship between 2024 and 2025 is entering a transformative phase defined by strategic energy partnerships, renewed political engagement, and cautious optimism amid tariff tensions.

While bilateral trade stood at approximately US$32.6 billion in 2024, both governments have set an ambitious target of US$100 billion, supported by recent high-level meetings and policy alignments aimed at expanding economic cooperation.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s 2025 visit to Washington, marked by the signing of key energy and defense cooperation agreements, has injected new momentum into trade diplomacy.

Notably, the Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation and BOTAŞ’s long-term LNG agreements with U.S. energy giants, including ExxonMobil and Mercuria, position Turkey as both a major LNG importer and a regional energy transit hub. The agreement to import up to 70 billion cubic meters of U.S. LNG over 20 years also supports Europe’s shift away from Russian energy dependence, with Turkey emerging as a pivotal link between Western suppliers and European markets.

#5. Turkey Trade Partner: Italy - US$17.3 billion

Based on TradeInt’s latest global trade database, trade between Turkey and Italy amounted to US$17.3 billion from January to July 2025, underscoring a partnership built on precision manufacturing, industrial supply, and craftsmanship. Italy stands as one of Turkey’s most entrenched European partners, not merely as a buyer or seller, but as a collaborator in shared industries.

From cars and machinery to metals, jewelry, and refined oil, both countries sustain a trade rhythm that links Turkey’s production capacity with Italy’s design-driven economy and high-value exports.

Top 5 Turkey exports to Italy (Jan–Jul 2025)

• Motor vehicles for passenger transport (HS 8703) – Valued at US$817.7 million, this category anchors Turkey’s export portfolio to Italy, demonstrating the strength of its automotive industry.
• Freight motor vehicles (HS 8704) – With US$405.6 million, these vehicles serve Italy’s logistics and construction sectors, highlighting Turkey’s role as a regional vehicle supplier.
• Other nuts, fresh or dried (HS 0802) – Worth US$341.6 million, Turkey’s agricultural exports, especially nuts, continue to be a staple in Italy’s food industry.
• Flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel (HS 7208) – At US$281.9 million, Turkey supports Italy’s manufacturing base with processed metal products essential for construction and machinery.
• Petroleum and oils from bituminous minerals (HS 2710) – Totaling US$255.1 million, refined petroleum exports underline the growing role of Turkey’s energy sector in European supply chains.

Top 5 Turkey imports from Italy (Jan–Jul 2025)

• Jewelry, gold, and silverware (HS 7113) – Leading with US$1.78 billion, Italy’s globally renowned jewelry industry remains a major contributor to Turkish luxury imports.
• Parts and accessories of motor vehicles (HS 8708) – At US$293.4 million, these imports reinforce Italy’s position as a key automotive component supplier to Turkey.
• Freight motor vehicles (HS 8704) – Valued at US$208.4 million, commercial vehicle imports reflect continued cross-border integration within the automotive sector.
• Petroleum and oils (HS 2710) – With US$188.8 million, Italy remains a significant energy trade partner, contributing to Turkey’s refined oil imports.
• Medicines for treatment or prevention (HS 3004) – Worth US$173.5 million, pharmaceuticals showcase Italy’s strength in high-value healthcare exports and Turkey’s growing medical market demand.

Does Italy have good relations with Turkey?

The Türkiye–Italy trade relationship in 2024–2025 reflects a maturing economic partnership that is evolving from transactional trade toward deeper industrial and technological collaboration.

With bilateral trade reaching US$32 billion in 2024 and continuing its steady climb through 2025, both nations are advancing a shared vision built on innovation, sustainability, and defense cooperation.

The April 2025 Intergovernmental Summit in Rome marked a turning point: 11 new agreements spanning defense, energy, culture, and innovation established the framework for long-term collaboration. Italy’s participation as one of Türkiye’s top EU trade partners shows not only commercial significance but also geopolitical alignment, reinforcing the European supply chain that runs through Turkish industry.

Economically, exports from Türkiye to Italy grew 7.5% in the first five months of 2025 to $5.34 billion, highlighting resilience amid global trade uncertainty. According to Daily Sabah, key growth sectors included:

• Chemicals: +14.6% year-over-year, reaching $777 million, showing Türkiye’s pivot toward higher-value industrial goods.
• Ferrous and non-ferrous metals: Up 4% to $472.5 million, fueled by construction and manufacturing demand.
• Steel: +9.4%, reflecting sustained industrial cooperation between the two countries.

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Conclusion

Turkey’s trade network in 2025 reflects a nation strategically positioned between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East — leveraging geography, industry, and partnerships to stay competitive. Its ties with key partners like Germany, China, Russia, the U.S., and Italy show how deeply Turkey is embedded in global supply chains. For global trade companies, these insights reveal where opportunities are growing, from automotive exports to energy cooperation and logistics expansion.

For global traders, manufacturers, and logistics providers, TradeInt delivers the actionable intelligence needed to compete in high-volume, high-risk markets. Our platform gives direct access to verified importer–exporter records, real-time shipment trends, and pricing data across 400M+ companies worldwide, helping businesses uncover active buyers, validate suppliers, monitor competitor shipments, and forecast demand shifts with precision.

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