Tobacco Exports Reached USD 489 Million in First Half of 2026

Aegean Tobacco Exporters Association increased exports by 4 percent in the first half of 2026 to USD 489 million. Association Chairman Selim Jimi emphasized that the Turkish tobacco sector maintained its competitive strength despite global uncertainties.

Turkey's tobacco sector managed to increase export performance in the first half of 2026 despite global economic uncertainties and fluctuations in international trade. The Aegean Tobacco Exporters Association increased exports in the January-June period by 4 percent compared to the same period last year, raising them to USD 489 million.

Selim Jimi: Tobacco sector maintains strong structure
Aegean Tobacco Exporters Association Chairman Selim Jimi stated that the sector continued its steady growth despite global challenges, noting that Turkey's tobacco exports nationwide reached USD 1.06 billion in 2025 with an increase of 8.4 percent.

Jimi pointed out that Turkey exports tobacco and tobacco products to a total of 112 countries, led by Iraq, the United States, Belgium, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, adding that this performance demonstrated the competitive strength of the Turkish tobacco sector in international markets.

Exports increased by 4 percent in first six months
Commenting on the first half of 2026, Selim Jimi stated that the Aegean Tobacco Exporters Association's exports rose from USD 472 million to USD 489 million.

Jimi noted that this increase, achieved during a period of continuing global trade uncertainties and regional risks, demonstrated the sector's resilience.

Cigarettes, leaf tobacco and narghile tobacco led the way
According to 2025 data, the product groups that led the sector's exports were as follows:

Manufactured cigarettes: USD 501 million
Leaf tobacco: USD 336 million
Narghile tobacco: USD 105 million

In the first half of 2026, the countries with the highest exports were:
United States of America
Iraq
Syria
Iran
Russian Federation

in that order.

Domestic tobacco production investments accelerating
Selim Jimi stated that regulations aimed at increasing the use of domestic tobacco in cigarettes produced in Turkey made significant contributions to the sector.

Noting that through investments in Virginia and Burley type tobacco production, foreign type tobacco production reached the level of 30,000 tonnes and total tobacco production exceeded 100,000 tonnes, Jimi said this development contributed to both supporting the domestic market with domestic production and increasing product diversity.

Sector priorities: value-added production and sustainability
Stating that the Aegean Tobacco Exporters Association will focus on three main goals in the coming period, Selim Jimi listed them as follows:

Further raising product quality in international markets,
Increasing the share of high value-added products in exports,
Attracting young producers to the sector through modern and sustainable agriculture practices.

Jimi also noted that the Association continues its projects on collection of agricultural pesticide packaging waste, improvement of producers' working conditions and sustainable production practices, and expressed expectations for the positive momentum in exports to continue in the second half of 2026.