Turkey Trade with Russia: Market Performance and Evaluation 2025

Despite sanctions, financial restrictions, and global pressure, Turkey trade with Russia continues to demonstrate remarkable endurance. In 2024–2025, Turkey imported over US$25.3 billion in Russian energy and raw materials while exporting nearly US$3.8 billion in machinery, fruits, and plastics, a relationship built on necessity, not alignment.

In this article, we explore how Turkey’s bilateral trade with Russia has shifted through 2024–2025, revealing the key drivers, challenges, and economic realities shaping one of Eurasia’s most closely watched trade corridors.

Does Turkey Trade with Russia?

This combination of verified customs and import-export databases from Trade Intelligence Global and aligned policy-driven market trends confirms that Turkey–Russia trade from January to July 2025 is dominated by Russian energy (approx. US$18.20B) and metal exports (approx. US$3.43B), while Turkey leads with machinery (approx. US$734M), food products (approx. US$623M), plastics (approx. US$291M), and industrial goods (approx. US$415M) in return. This highlights strong bilateral flows driven by energy, industrial inputs, and strategic commercial needs.

Top 3 Turkey-imported goods categories from Russia from January to July 2025:

• Energy fuels (~US$18.2B): Natural gas and crude oil remain essential for Turkey’s energy security.
• Metals (~US$3.43B): Steel, copper, and aluminum support Turkey’s construction, automotive, and manufacturing sectors.
• Agricultural inputs (~US$1.15B): Edible oils, cereals, fertilizers, and feedstock sustain food production and processing industries.

On the export side, Turkey shipped US$3.78 billion in goods to Russia during the same period. TradeInt’s data shows the top export categories:

• Machinery – US$734M
• Fruits & nuts – US$392M
• Plastics – US$291M
• Seafood – US$231M
• Vehicles – US$165M
• Electrical equipment – US$145M
• Chemical products – US$105M

These flows illustrate that Turkey–Russia trade is driven not by ideology but by mutual economic dependence, energy reliability for Turkey, industrial inputs for production, and market access for Turkish exporters.

🔍 To see how Turkey performs in the global trade market lately, you can explore TradeInt’s analysis of Turkey Trade Data 2025.

It highlights Turkey’s biggest exports from January to August 2025, with iron & steel, machinery, textiles, autos, and key agricultural products, and how these industries support Europe and the Middle East.

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Turkey trade with Russia: What are the top Turkey imports from Russia in 2025?

According to TradeInt’s Global Trade Data Intelligence Platform, Turkey’s total trade with Russia from January to July 2025 reached nearly US$29 billion, confirming that Turkey is still actively trading with Russia despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and Western sanctions. Turkey imported US$25.3 billion worth of goods from Russia, which are dominated by three import core product categories: energy fuel (approx. US$18.2 billion), metals (approx. US$3.43 billion), and agricultural inputs (approx. US$1.15 billion).

Major 7 product categories Turkey imports from Russia from January to July 2025:

• Mineral fuels & oils (HS 27) – US$18.2 billion: The dominant import category, covering natural gas and crude oil that meet most of Turkey’s energy demand.
• Steel (HS 72) – US$1.9 billion: A key input for Turkey’s construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing sectors.
• Copper & articles thereof (HS 74) – US$847 million: Used in electrical, mechanical, and industrial equipment production.
• Aluminum & articles thereof (HS 76) – US$683 million: Supports automotive parts, infrastructure, and packaging industries.
• Animal & vegetable oils (HS 15) – US$528 million: Supplies Turkey’s food and processing industries with essential edible oils.
• Cereals (HS 10) – US$426 million: Includes wheat and other grains that contribute to Turkey’s food security and flour exports.
• Fertilizers (HS 31) – US$196 million: Strengthens agricultural productivity across Turkey’s farming sector.

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Between 2024 and 2025, Turkey’s bilateral trade with Russia remained significant, even as Ankara pursued diversification efforts with a total import value of US$35.5 billion from January–October 2024. In particular, Russia consistently ranks as Turkey’s second-largest supplier, following China, underscoring how energy and raw material imports remain central to Turkey’s industrial and domestic needs.

The import relationship, however, is not static. While the scale of imports remains high, the composition is evolving as Turkey gradually transitions from a dependency model to a diversified supply structure. Nonetheless, as of 2025, the data confirm that energy, particularly natural gas, still defines the foundation of Russian trade with Turkey.

#1. Mineral Fuels and Oils - US$18.23 billion

Where does Turkey get mineral fuels and gas from?

Russia is one of Turkey’s largest suppliers of mineral fuels, crude oil, petroleum products, and hydrocarbon gases, with imports exceeding US$15.59 billion between January and July 2025. TradeInt’s latest mineral fuels dataset shows that Turkey’s energy imports from Russia are led by unspecified mineral or chemical products (HS 2799 – US$8.61B), petroleum and oils (HS 2710 – US$5.14B), and petroleum gas and other hydrocarbon gases (HS 2711 – US$1.52B). Other imports include coke and semi-coke, petroleum residues, paraffin waxes, and high-temperature distillation oils, all of which support Turkey’s refining sector, power generation, manufacturing industries, and broader energy security strategy.

In 2024, Turkey’s Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) reported that Russian gas deliveries to Turkey reached 21.5 billion cubic meters (bcm), marking a 2.6% year-on-year increase. By January 2025, the monthly intake reached 2.78 bcm, the 3rd-highest in Turkey’s import history, with Russia accounting for roughly 37% of total gas imports in the first half of 2025.

Turkey’s natural gas imports by country in 2024. Source from: EPDK

💡 For a clearer view of how edible oil supply chains are evolving, explore TradeInt’s report on the top global palm oil exporting countries in H1 2025, where Indonesia leads with US$3.36B in exports.

#2. Steel - US$1.88 billion

How much steel does Turkey import from Russia in 2025?

According to TradeInt’s Turkey–Russia import–export database, Turkey imported roughly US$1.88 billion worth of steel products from Russia between January and July 2025. TradeInt’s latest steel data shows that these imports were led by semi-finished steel (US$844.79M), granular and powdered iron raw materials (US$368.99M), hot-rolled flat steel (US$259.42M), steel scrap (US$168.71M), cold-rolled flat products (US$102.53M), and ferroalloys (US$56.89M), all of which are essential inputs for Turkey’s domestic steel mills, automotive manufacturing, machinery production, and construction supply chain.

#3. Copper - US$1.03 billion

How much copper does Turkey import from Russia in 2025?

Based on TradeInt’s Turkey–Russia customs import–export database, Turkey imported approximately US$1.03 billion worth of copper and copper products from Russia between January and July 2025. TradeInt’s latest copper data shows that these imports were led overwhelmingly by copper wire (HS 7408 – US$626.34M) and unwrought refined copper & copper alloys (HS 7403 – US$220.29M), followed by smaller volumes of copper foil, other copper products, copper nails, copper plates & sheets, and copper pipes and fittings. These commodities play a central role in Turkey’s domestic cable manufacturing, construction materials, electrical infrastructure, and industrial metalworking supply chain.

#4. Aluminium and its Products - US$682.7 million

Where does Turkey get aluminium from?

Russia is a major supplier of aluminium and aluminium products to Turkey, with total aluminium imports reaching approximately US$682.7 million between January and July 2025. TradeInt’s latest aluminium dataset shows that Turkey’s imports from Russia are led by unwrought aluminium (HS 7601 – US$583.83M), aluminium wire (HS 7605 – US$86.92M), and aluminium bars, rods & profiles (HS 7604 – US$6.92M). Additional imports include aluminium sheets, tubes, foil, and aluminium packaging containers, which support Turkey’s construction sector, automotive production, cable manufacturing, packaging industries, and broader industrial supply chain.

What does Russia import from Turkey?

According to TradeInt’s Turkey and Russia import-export database, Turkey exported US$3.78 billion worth of goods to Russia between January and July 2025. TradeInt’s Turkey global trade data shows that the country mainly exports machinery (US$734 million), fruits and nuts (US$392 million), plastics (US$291 million), seafood (US$231 million), vehicles (US$165 million), electrical equipment (US$145 million), and chemical products (US$105 million) to the Russian market despite geopolitical tensions.

Major top 7 product categories Turkey exports to Russia:

• Machinery & mechanical appliances (HS 84) – US$734 million: Economic importance: Turkey’s largest export category to Russia, reflecting demand for industrial machinery, boilers, and mechanical equipment used in Russian manufacturing and construction.
• Edible fruits & nuts (HS 08) – US$392 million: A strong agricultural export segment; Turkish citrus fruits and nuts remain popular in Russia due to competitive pricing and established trade routes.
• Plastic and its products (HS 39) – US$291 million: Supports Russia’s packaging, construction, and manufacturing industries; shows Turkey’s growing capacity in petrochemical-based exports.
• Fish, crustaceans & aquatic invertebrates (HS 03) – US$231 million: Demonstrates Russia’s reliance on Turkish seafood imports to meet consumer demand, especially for Mediterranean varieties.
• Vehicles and parts (HS 87) – US$165 million: Reflects Turkey’s role as a vehicle and components supplier for Russia’s automotive and transportation sectors.
• Electrical machinery & equipment (HS 85) – US$145 million: Includes electronics, electrical parts, and sound equipment, catering to Russia’s industrial and consumer electronics markets.
• Tanning materials, dyes & pigments (HS 32) – US$105 million: Serves Russia’s leather, textile, and industrial coloring sectors, marking steady trade in chemical-based goods.

Turkey’s bilateral trade with Russia reached US$52.6 billion in 2024, of which US$8.56 billion came from Turkish exports. That figure marked a 21% drop year-on-year, driven mainly by financial restrictions and Western sanctions that made cross-border payments more complex. Turkish banks’ decision in early 2024 to restrict or delay account openings for Russian clients slowed the export process significantly, cutting shipments by 28.3% in the first half of 2024.

💡 Wondering how Turkey’s exports to Russia compare with its overall trade? According to TradeInt, Turkey reached US$156 billion in exports and US$212 billion in imports from January–July 2025.

To see how Germany, China, Russia, the U.S., and Italy shape Turkey’s trade landscape, read the full TradeInt analysis on Turkey biggest trade partnersin 2025.

1. Industrial and Machinery Exports Remain the Backbone

Machinery and mechanical appliances continue to be the top export from Turkey to Russia.

In the first seven months of 2025 alone, exports in this category totaled US$734 million, according to TradeInt data. This segment includes boilers, turbines, and construction machinery, items that Russia previously sourced from Western markets before sanctions limited access. Turkish engineering firms have filled this gap, positioning themselves as critical suppliers for Russia’s industrial maintenance and infrastructure projects.

However, export controls have added complexity.

After the U.S. sanctioned over 200 Turkish companies in 2024, Ankara imposed restrictions on so-called “dual-use” items like precision tools and electronics that could be repurposed for military use. These changes reduced overall machinery exports but preserved legitimate industrial trade. This balance demonstrates Turkey’s bilateral trade with Russia: pragmatic, compliant with regulations, yet still driven by commercial opportunity.

decision in early 2024 to restrict or delay account openings for Russian clients slowed the export process significantly, cutting shipments by 28.3% in the first half of 2024.

2. Agriculture: A Stable Pillar of Trade

Food and agricultural exports remain among the least politicized and most stable parts of Turkey trade with Russia. In 2024, the two countries exchanged roughly US$5.3 billion in agricultural products, with Turkey’s exports accounting for US$1.9 billion. By mid-2025, the export of edible fruits and nuts (HS 08) reached US$392 million, while fish and seafood (HS 03) added another US$231 million.

The top 5 major exports of HS Code 08 from Turkey to Russia from January to July 2025 are:

• Fresh or dried citrus fruits (HS 0805)– US$162.0 million (41.3%): Citrus leads Turkey’s fruit exports to Russia, driven by high demand for oranges and mandarins during winter. Strong logistics via the Black Sea and favorable pricing make Turkey Russia’s most reliable citrus supplier.
• Fresh apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, and nectarines (HS 0809)– US$120.3 million (30.7%): These stone fruits represent Turkey’s seasonal advantage — exported mainly in summer months. Russia remains one of Turkey’s largest markets for premium cherries and apricots due to consistent quality and early harvest cycles.
• Other nuts, fresh or dried (HS 0802)– US$43.0 million (11.0%): Turkish hazelnuts and pistachios maintain strong competitiveness in the Russian confectionery and snack sectors, despite currency fluctuations and import restrictions from Western suppliers.
• Other fresh fruits (HS 0810)– US$31.4 million (8.0%): This category includes a diverse mix of fresh produce such as berries and exotic fruits. Turkey leverages its proximity and year-round production capacity to serve Russian retailers quickly.
• Fresh apples, pears, and quinces (HS 0808)– US$10.6 million (2.7%): Turkish apples and pears fill Russia’s seasonal supply gap, particularly after European sanctions reduced imports from Poland and the EU.

3. Manufactured Goods and Intermediate Products

Beyond food and machinery, Turkish manufacturers continue to supply Russia with materials critical for its industrial and consumer markets.

From TradeInt’s global trade database, plastics (HS 39) valued at US$291 million, vehicles and parts (HS 87) worth US$165 million, and electrical equipment (HS 85) totaling US$145 million made up a large portion of exports in early 2025. Additionally, tanning materials and dyes (HS 32) reached US$105 million, showing ongoing demand for industrial chemicals and processed goods.

These exports illustrate Turkey’s ability to adapt to global restrictions while maintaining trade flows through legitimate, non-sanctioned channels. For many companies, trade continues via alternative payment systems and logistics corridors, ensuring that Turkey’s bilateral trade with Russia remains functional even as it becomes more complex.

4. Banking Constraints and New Trade Channels

Financial and regulatory challenges have been the main headwinds for Turkey’s exporters. Since 2024, most major Turkish banks have scaled back services to Russian entities due to international compliance risks. This caused exporters to seek new transaction methods, including payments in local currencies (ruble and lira) and indirect settlements through intermediary markets such as Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

These shifts increased transaction times and administrative burdens but also helped Turkey maintain access to the Russian market. Many exporters now rely on third-country re-export models, aligning with global trade norms while minimizing exposure to sanctions. The outcome is a leaner but more resilient trade system, one that allows Turkey trade with Russia to continue under evolving geopolitical realities.

Conclusion​

In 2024–2025, Turkey trade with Russia stood as one of the most strategically complex yet economically essential relationships in Eurasia. Despite sanctions, banking restrictions, and supply chain pressure, bilateral trade reached US$52.6 billion, driven largely by energy imports worth over US$25.3 billion and exports totaling US$3.78 billion in machinery, plastics, and agricultural products. Turkey continues to depend heavily on Russian gas and oil through Blue Stream and TurkStream, while also positioning itself as a re-export and production hub for goods ranging from industrial machinery to fresh fruits and nuts.

Looking ahead, Turkey’s cautious diversification, expanding LNG capacity, and reducing reliance on dual-use exports, will redefine the structure of Russian trade with Turkey, balancing compliance with sustained commerce. The data reveals a relationship built on necessity, strategic flexibility, and evolving trade flows that remain vital for regional stability.

For global trade professionals, understanding such shifts is crucial. Explore TradeInt to gain full access to near-real-time trade data, analyze billions of verified shipments, and uncover the company-level intelligence behind Turkey’s evolving trade strategy.

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