Turkey Hits Near-Record February Exports: Bolat

Despite intensifying regional conflicts and a volatile global trade landscape, Turkey’s export performance in February 2026 showed strong resilience. Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced that exports rose by 1.6%, reaching $21.065 billion. This figure represents the second-highest February total in the nation’s history, underscoring Turkey’s ability to maintain its supply chain momentum even as global growth forecasts are being revised downward.

The Trade Gap Widens Amid Rising Imports

While export figures showed growth, the broader trade balance came under pressure from a rising import bill. In February, imports increased by 6.1%, totaling $30.3 billion. This disparity led to an 18.1% surge in the foreign trade deficit, which reached $9.2 billion for the month.

Key metrics from the February report include:

• Export-to-Import Coverage Ratio: Dropped to 69.6% (a 3.1 percentage point decrease from last year).

• Year-to-Date Performance: For the January-February period, total exports reached $41.4 billion, a slight 1.2% dip compared to 2025.

• Total Imports (2-Month): Rose 3.1% to nearly $59 billion.

Strategic Defense Against Global Logistics Crises

Minister Bolat emphasized that the Turkish government is proactively managing risks associated with regional instability. Specifically, authorities have been on high alert since the weekend to mitigate the economic impact of potential maritime disruptions, such as a closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Government ministries are coordinating in real-time to update measures that protect the flow of goods and maintain Turkey’s target growth, which is currently outperforming Medium-Term Program (OVP) estimates.

Furthermore, the Minister highlighted that Turkey’s Economic Confidence Index has climbed above the critical 100-point threshold, signaling optimism in the real sector. Looking ahead, Bolat noted that Turkey is on track to become the 11th-largest economy in the world based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), reinforcing its status as a resilient global player amid surrounding geopolitical storms.