ISTANBUL

Turkish exports to Italy were an all-time high of $12.4 billion last year, as the US protectionism pressuring supply chain risks led Europe to strategically source its exports from nearby countries.

Türkiye’s exports to Italy rose 3% year-on-year, with Italy accounting for 4.5% of total Turkish exports last year, according to data from Türkiye Exporters’ Assembly (TIM).

Germany was the largest recipient of Turkish exports in 2025, receiving goods worth $19.8 billion, followed by the UK $14.2 billion, and the US $13.2 billion.

As for the sectoral distribution of exports to Italy, the Turkish auto industry was the top-selling business last year with $3.3 billion.

Turkish chemical exports were worth $1.7 billion, followed by steel $1.1 billion, ferrous and non-ferrous metals $1 billion, textiles and raw materials $733.3 million, electrical and electronics exports $707.4 million, machinery and equipment $579.9 million, and aquatic and animal products $306.5 million.

Ferrous and non-ferrous metal exports surged the most last year by $220 million, followed by chemical products $179.3 million, machinery and equipment $105.7 million, aquatic and animal products $55.5 million, and electrical and electronics export $50.4 million.

Istanbul was the largest source of Turkish exports to Italy last year with $4.4 billion, while exports from the northwestern province of Kocaeli to the Italian market accounted for $1.6 billion, the northwestern city of Bursa $1.3 billion, the southwestern resort city of Izmir $764.5 million, and Ankara $510.2 million.