Plastics Sector Leads Exports

Plastik Sanayicileri Federasyonu (PLASFED) Management Board Chairman Ömer Karadeniz stated that plastics and plastic products lead chemical substances and products exports at USD 775 million.

Turkey's March exports reached USD 23.4 billion, a 3.2% increase year-on-year. Among the highest-exporting sectors, automotive ranked first with USD 3.5 billion, while the chemicals sector achieved USD 2.7 billion in March exports, making it Turkey's second-largest exporting sector.

Karadeniz, noting that Turkey's economy will grow through increased production and exports, said: "The industrial sector is one of the fundamental building blocks that makes countries' economic growth sustainable. Increases in production capacity directly impact not only economic indicators, but also social welfare, technological development and international competitiveness."

According to Turkish Exporters Council (TİM) data, Turkey's exports in March reached USD 23.4 billion, up 3.2% year-on-year. First-quarter 2025 exports reached USD 65.3 billion, with annual exports reaching USD 263.4 billion. Among the highest-exporting sectors, automotive led March with USD 3.5 billion, while the chemicals sector maintained Turkey's second-largest exporter status with USD 2.7 billion. The chemicals sector's first-quarter exports reached USD 7.7 billion.

Among chemical substances and products, plastics and plastic products exports ranked first at USD 775 million. Mineral fuels and products ranked second with USD 774 million in exports, while inorganic chemicals exports stood third at USD 236 million. Following inorganic chemicals, other sectors in the top 10 were: essential oils, cosmetics and soap at USD 143 million; rubber and rubber goods at USD 142 million; paints, varnishes, inks and preparations at USD 120 million; pharmaceutical products at USD 137 million; miscellaneous chemical substances at USD 106 million; organic chemicals at USD 62 million; and adhesives at USD 49 million.

"Industrial production is the backbone of Turkish exports"
PLASFED Management Board Chairman Ömer Karadeniz, stating that March exports reached USD 23.4 billion, a 3.2% increase compared to the same month last year, noted that the Republic's second-highest March exports figure was recorded. Emphasizing that exports play a leading role in a country's economic growth, Karadeniz said: "These figures demonstrate Turkey's stability in export performance and growth potential."

Noting that industrial products are the backbone of Turkey's exports, Karadeniz drew attention to the strength of export infrastructure. PLASFED Chairman Karadeniz, emphasizing that the positive trend in Turkey's exports continues and that this is valuable, stated: "Exports growing faster than imports is important in terms of closing the trade deficit. As the share of value-added products increases, this growth can become more sustainable."

Plastics sector's three-month figure reaches USD 2.5 billion
Karadeniz, reporting that the plastics sector, which continues to lead within the chemicals sector according to TİM data, achieved nearly USD 2.5 billion in three-month exports, pointed out that the sector will grow exponentially with economic stability and increased production.

"We must declare a mobilization for production"
Karadeniz, stating that the country must mobilize for qualified and value-added production, emphasized that the path to achieving Turkey's medium and long-term goals runs through production. Explaining that Turkey's economy will grow through increased production and exports, Karadeniz said: "The industrial sector is one of the fundamental building blocks that makes countries' economic growth sustainable. Increases in production capacity directly impact not only economic indicators, but also social welfare, technological development and international competitiveness."

Drawing attention to the importance of industrial production in GDP, Karadeniz noted that manufacturing sectors in industrialized countries not only increase employment but also raise export potential and protect the national economy from external dependence. Emphasizing that as industrial production increases, the country's income level will rise, Karadeniz stated that public revenues will increase and economic growth will accelerate.