Turkey’s Agriculture Exports Hit Record 36.4 Billion Dollars

Turkey’s agricultural sector closed 2025 with a historic export performance, reaching $36.4 billion, the highest annual figure ever recorded. The achievement came despite significant challenges such as frost and drought, underscoring how policy support, diversification strategies, and targeted investments helped shield agricultural production and trade from climate-related risks.

According to data compiled from the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), agricultural exports rose by 0.6% year-on-year, pushing the sector to a new all-time high. Agriculture accounted for 15.3% of Turkey’s total exports, highlighting its continued strategic importance within the broader economy.

Climate Risks Met With Policy Support

The record performance is particularly notable given the environmental pressures faced in 2025. Frost events and prolonged drought created risks across multiple regions, threatening yields and supply continuity. However, measures taken in agriculture and water management, combined with sector-specific incentives, played a decisive role in limiting the negative impact.

Economic authorities continued to back producers through structured programs, offering support across a wide spectrum—from diversifying farming activities and providing technical assistance, to investing in processing, storage, and marketing facilities. Agricultural enterprises of varying scales benefited from these policies, reinforcing resilience at both the production and export stages.

The consistent application of producer-focused support policies, even amid global market volatility, allowed exporters to maintain competitiveness and reach new milestones.

Agriculture Delivers an All-Time Export High

In absolute terms, Turkey’s agricultural exports surpassed $36.4 billion in 2025, marking the strongest performance the sector has ever delivered. While growth remained modest in percentage terms, the achievement reflects stability and endurance rather than short-term expansion driven by exceptional conditions.

This steady outcome demonstrates how long-term investment, institutional backing, and market diversification can translate into sustained export capacity—even during years marked by climatic and geopolitical uncertainty.

Three Agricultural Sub-Sectors Set New Records

Within agriculture’s broad export portfolio, three out of ten sub-sectors achieved record-breaking export values in 2025.

The fresh fruit and vegetable sector reached $3.7 billion, supported by an annual growth rate of 8.9%. This segment continues to benefit from strong demand in neighboring and regional markets, as well as improvements in logistics and cold-chain infrastructure.

The ornamental plants and related products sector also posted its highest-ever export figure of $159.9 million, reflecting a robust 13.7% increase from the previous year. Rising demand for decorative and landscaping products in European markets played a key role in this expansion.

Meanwhile, the furniture, paper, and forestry products sector generated nearly $8 billion in exports, marking another all-time high despite a modest 1.2% growth rate. The sector’s scale and diversified product range continued to anchor its export performance.

Key Markets Driving Record Sales

An analysis of top destination markets reveals clear leaders for each record-setting sector.

In fresh fruit and vegetables, Russia ranked first, with imports totaling $865.1 million, maintaining its position as the sector’s largest single market.

For ornamental plants and related products, the Netherlands emerged as the top buyer, accounting for $40 million in exports. The country’s role as a distribution hub for European horticulture markets amplified its importance.

In the furniture, paper, and forestry products sector, Iraq stood out as the leading destination, with exports reaching $1.2 billion. Strong construction activity and close regional trade ties continued to underpin demand.