Türkiye’s merchandise exports rose 2.9% from a year earlier to $25.6 billion in July, according to preliminary trade figures announced by Trade Minister Ömer Bolat on August 3, 2026. The total was described as the country’s highest export value recorded for the month of July. Rolling 12-month merchandise exports also increased 3.4% to a new level of $278.6 billion.
Seven-month exports reach $161.6 billion
Exports for the January-to-July period increased 3.4% year on year to $161.601 billion. That represented a net rise of about $5.3 billion across the first seven months of the year. The annual increase recorded in July alone was worth $712 million. The figures point to growth in both the monthly total and the rolling annual merchandise export measure.
The data were presented at a meeting held at the Turkish Exporters Assembly’s foreign trade complex, with representatives of the Trade Ministry and the exporters’ assembly in attendance. The assembly’s official event listing confirms that the July 2026 trade announcement was scheduled for August 3, while Anadolu Agency and CNBC-e independently reported the figures. These are preliminary trade indicators, and more detailed official statistical releases may follow under the regular publication calendar.
Imports grew faster than exports
The export record was accompanied by a stronger percentage increase in imports. July imports rose 5.2% from the same month a year earlier to $32.989 billion. The monthly trade deficit was reported at $7.368 billion, an annual increase of 14%. The $25.6 billion export result therefore should not be read as evidence that every part of the foreign trade balance improved at the same pace.
Imports during the first seven months increased 4.7% to $222.109 billion. The January-to-July trade deficit widened 8.2% to $60.508 billion, while the rolling 12-month deficit was reported at $96.758 billion. Because imports expanded faster than exports, both sides of the trade account need to be considered when assessing the broader result.
Currency and calendar effects mattered
Bolat said the euro-dollar exchange-rate effect reduced the July export figure by about $300 million. A difference in working days was calculated to have added roughly $500 million, producing a net positive effect of around $200 million. This detail shows that the monthly change did not reflect production and foreign demand alone; currency composition and the calendar also influenced the comparison.
The announcement said exports increased in 19 sectors and declined in seven. The first reports did not provide a complete value breakdown for every industry, so further data are needed to determine each sector’s exact contribution. A rolling annual services-export estimate of $122.6 billion was also presented, but that estimate should not be treated as the same type of finalized figure as the merchandise trade totals.
What do the numbers show?
The July result indicates that Türkiye maintained a high monthly merchandise export level and lifted its rolling annual total to $278.6 billion. At the same time, the 5.2% increase in imports and the wider trade deficit form the other important part of the picture. Export performance in the coming months will depend on foreign demand, energy and raw-material costs, exchange-rate movements and transportation expenses.
The verified preliminary picture is straightforward: July exports rose 2.9% to $25.6 billion, imports increased 5.2% to almost $33 billion and the monthly trade deficit stood near $7.37 billion. The data mark a strong export month, but a balanced reading requires the export, import and deficit figures to be evaluated together rather than focusing on the record headline alone.
