Turkish trade minstry announced that exports from Türkiye's 19 free zones reached a record $6.6 billion in the first half of 2026, rising 6.2% compared with the same period last year

The ministry reported that exports from the country's free zones set a new first-half record between January and June, reflecting continued growth in manufacturing and export-oriented production.

In June alone, exports climbed 29.5% year-on-year to $1.2 billion, maintaining the strong momentum recorded throughout the year.

Free zones continued to post a strong trade surplus, with exports covering imports at a rate of 151.8%. Exports accounted for 76.6% of total sales during the first six months of the year, reinforcing the zones' position as net exporters.

Products classified as medium-high technology represented 52.2% of total exports, while high-technology goods accounted for 6.7%, bringing the combined share of value-added products to 58.9%.

As of the end of June, 1,942 companies, including 477 foreign-owned firms, were operating in Türkiye's 19 free zones, providing direct employment for 86,909 people.

The ministry said a total of 2,803 operating licenses were in force, including 2,102 issued to domestic companies and 701 to foreign investors. Licenses for manufacturing activities accounted for 44.6% of the total, up by nearly one percentage point from a year earlier.

The Aegean Free Zone remained the country's largest exporting free zone, with exports increasing 8% to $1.688 billion, accounting for 25.7% of total exports generated by all free zones.

Exports also recorded strong growth in the Bursa Free Zone, which reached $1.025 billion, the Adana-Yumurtalık Free Zone, where exports rose to $284 million, and the European Free Zone, which posted exports of $642 million.

Overall, seven free zones recorded export growth exceeding 10% during the first half of the year.

The Aegean Free Zone also ranked first in total trade volume, generating $3.19 billion in trade with domestic and international markets and accounting for 22.2% of the combined trade volume of Türkiye's free zones. (ILKHA)