EİB’s Exports Exceeded 1.7 Billion Dollars in October

The Aegean Exporters’ Associations (EİB) increased its exports by 5 percent in October, raising them to 1 billion 713 million dollars. Surpassing the monthly 1.7 billion dollar threshold for the fourth time in 2026, EİB increased its exports by 6 percent in the January-October period to 16.2 billion dollars. The association’s exports over the last 12 months reached 19 billion 364 million dollars, bringing it 636 million dollars closer to its 20 billion dollar target.

The Aegean Exporters’ Associations (EİB) started the last quarter of 2026 with an increase in exports. EİB raised its exports by 5 percent compared to the same period last year, bringing them to 1 billion 713 million dollars in October, and exceeded the 1 billion 700 million dollar level for the fourth time this year, following June, July and September.

EİB’s exports in the January-October period rose by 6 percent from 15.3 billion dollars to 16.2 billion dollars. Exports over the last 12 months increased by 5 percent, reaching 19 billion 364 million dollars from 18.5 billion dollars. Thus, EİB came within 636 million dollars of its 20 billion dollar export target.

While 7 of the 12 exporters’ associations under EİB increased their exports in October, 5 associations fell below their performance in the same period last year.

When evaluated by sector, agricultural exports rose by 8 percent from 692 million dollars to 750 million dollars. While the industrial sector carried out 793 million dollars of exports, the mining sector reached 168.5 million dollars from 126 million dollars, a 34 percent increase.

Aquaculture and animal products lead in exports

The Aegean Aquaculture and Animal Products Exporters’ Association increased its exports by 4 percent in October to 186.8 million dollars, becoming the highest-exporting association within EİB. The association, which took over the top spot from the Aegean Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters’ Association in September, maintained its first-place position in October as well.

Tobacco sector maintained its lead in export growth

The Aegean Tobacco Exporters’ Association, which drew attention in September with a 68 percent increase in exports, achieved exports of 125.8 million dollars in October with a 64 percent increase. Thus, the tobacco sector was the sector that increased its exports the most within EİB for two consecutive months.

10-month exports of ferrous and non-ferrous metals exceeded 2 billion dollars

The Aegean Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters’ Association ranked second within EİB with 185.5 million dollars of exports in October. The association also maintained its lead with an export volume of 2 billion 104 million dollars in the January-October period.

34 percent increase in mining exports

The Aegean Mineral Exporters’ Association increased its exports by 34 percent in October, raising them from 126 million dollars to 168.5 million dollars. In the January-October period, it increased its exports by 20 percent to 1 billion 397 million dollars. Thus, the mining sector was the sector that increased its exports the most within EİB over the 10-month period.

Dried fruit, fresh fruit and grain sectors exceeded 100 million dollars

The Aegean Dried Fruit and Products Exporters’ Association, which gained momentum with the start of the seedless dried grape, dried fig and dried apricot season, achieved 127.8 million dollars of exports in October.

The Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association was another association to exceed the 100 million dollar threshold, with 112.5 million dollars obtained from exports of fresh fruit and vegetables and fruit and vegetable products.

The Aegean Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds and Products Exporters’ Association was also among the associations that surpassed this level, with 102.5 million dollars of exports.

Apparel exports declined after five months

The Aegean Apparel and Clothing Exporters’ Association, which had managed to increase its exports for five months, recorded a 9 percent decline in October. The association’s exports fell from 101 million dollars to 91.7 million dollars.

The Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters’ Association achieved 69.3 million dollars of exports in October. The exports of the Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association rose by 6 percent to 29.2 million dollars.

The Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters’ Association halted its long-running decline in exports, reaching an export volume of 21 million 959 thousand dollars with a 4 percent increase. The Aegean Leather and Leather Products Exporters’ Association increased its exports by 3 percent to 11 million 70 thousand dollars.

İzmir, Denizli and Manisa in the top three in Aegean Region exports

According to Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) data, the Aegean Region’s exports in October rose by 3.3 percent from 2 billion 532 million dollars to 2 billion 616 million dollars. The region’s exports in the January-October period increased by 4.5 percent, reaching 24 billion 772 million dollars from 23 billion 701 million dollars. Thus, the Aegean Region increased its exports by 1 billion 71 million dollars over the 10-month period.

In October, İzmir was the province with the highest exports in the region, with 1 billion 261 million dollars. İzmir was followed by Denizli with 462 million dollars and Manisa with 410 million dollars.

Muğla ranked fourth with 133.4 million dollars of exports, while Aydın carried out 117.7 million dollars and Balıkesir 116.8 million dollars of exports. Afyonkarahisar ranked with 41.7 million dollars, Uşak with 37.5 million dollars and Kütahya with 35.7 million dollars of exports.

Exports to the US surpassed Germany

The Aegean Exporters’ Associations exported to 187 countries in October. The US took first place with 175 million dollars of exports, as exports to this country increased by 50 percent compared to the same period last year. Thus, the US surpassed Germany to become the country to which EİB exported the most.

Germany ranked second with 153.5 million dollars, while 115 million dollars of exports were made to Italy. The United Kingdom ranked fourth with 80.4 million dollars, and the Netherlands ranked fifth with 69.5 million dollars.

By country groups, European Union countries maintained their top position with demand of 758 million dollars. EİB’s exports to the American continent amounted to 223 million dollars, while exports to Middle Eastern countries amounted to 168 million dollars.

Öztürk: “We made a good start to the last quarter of 2026”

Muhammet Öztürk, Coordinator Chairman of the Aegean Exporters’ Associations, stated that with the export performance of 1 billion 713 million dollars in October, they made a strong start to the last quarter of 2026. Öztürk stated that they are working to carry the export performance of the second and third quarters of the year into the last quarter as well.

Emphasizing that they made significant progress in October towards the 20 billion dollar export target, Öztürk said the following:

“We took a major step in October towards reaching our 20 billion dollar export target. By maintaining this trend, we aim to exceed 20 billion dollars in the first quarter of 2027. In order to reach this target, our access to financing problem needs to be resolved. We are waiting for the continuation of the CBRT’s interest rate cut decision. We want the new practice dated October 1, 2026 regarding foreign exchange conversion support, which does not meet our exporters’ expectations, to be reevaluated and arranged in favor of our exporters.

Exporting is not just an activity that earns foreign currency; it is an economic development model that nurtures production, employment, investment and technological development. Türkiye’s sustainable growth depends on carrying its production power to international markets. For this, we need to clear the stones on our exporters’ path.”