46 provinces increased their exports in the January-May period, 18 provinces exceeded 1 billion dollars
While 46 provinces in Turkey increased their exports in the first five months of the year, 18 provinces surpassed the 1 billion dollar threshold. Istanbul, Kocaeli, and İzmir stood out as the provinces with the highest export volumes.
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According to the Ministry of Trade's export data for May, export performance across Turkey has shown an upward trend. In the January-May period of 2025, 46 provinces increased their exports compared to the same period last year, while 18 provinces realized exports exceeding 1 billion dollars.
Istanbul topped the list with an export volume of 5 billion 212 million dollars. However, the city's exports declined by 8.7 percent compared to the same month last year. Istanbul was followed by Kocaeli with 3 billion 403 million dollars in exports and a 25 percent increase rate. İzmir ranked third with 2 billion 124 million dollars in exports; this figure represents a 10.2 percent decrease compared to last year.
SECTORAL SUCCESSES OF KOCAELI AND IZMIR
The largest share in Istanbul's exports was taken by precious and semi-precious stones with 975 million 611 thousand dollars. This was followed by machinery with 516 million 959 thousand dollars and knitted apparel with 490 million 28 thousand dollars.
In Kocaeli, the motor land vehicles sector stood out. The city realized 1 billion 448 million 60 thousand dollars in exports in this field. Electrical machinery and equipment, as well as mineral fuels, also held significant places in Kocaeli's exports.
In İzmir, mineral fuels and oils ranked first with 510 million 951 thousand dollars. They were followed by machinery with 201 million 428 thousand dollars and iron and steel products with 192 million 154 thousand dollars.
TOP EXPORT DESTINATIONS
The country to which Istanbul exported the most was Germany with 397 million 733 thousand dollars. The United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom were also among the important markets for Istanbul's exports.
In Kocaeli's exports, the United Kingdom ranks first with 355 million 213 thousand dollars. Germany and Spain were other prominent countries in Kocaeli's exports.
İzmir made the most exports to Germany with 211 million 660 thousand dollars. Romania and the United States of America stood out as other prominent countries in İzmir's exports.
The fact that the number of provinces showing export growth across Turkey reached 46 revealed that foreign trade is strengthening in different regions of the country's economy. The 18 provinces that exceeded the 1 billion dollar threshold are considered an indicator of sustainable growth in exports.