Turkey Sees 26.4% Rise in Exports to Syria in First Half, Volume Surges 36.6%

Turkey’s first‑half export to Syria surged 26.4 % in value, while shipment volumes leapt 36.6 %, signaling a robust rebound in cross‑border trade amid easing geopolitical frictions.

Record Volume and Value Growth

■Total 3 million 182 thousand 61 tons of goods shipped, a 36.6 % increase YoY.

■Highest value sector: $103 million 879 thousand in grinding products.

■Cement exports surged 116.8 %, reaching $102 million 256 thousand.

■Electrical and energy products followed with $80 million 107 thousand.

Southeast Anatolia’s Contribution

■Regional exports totaled $461 million 823 thousand.

■Quantity up 34.6 %, value up 11.4 % YoY.

Tariff Burden and Costs

■Per‑ton tariffs of $1 000 translate to $25 thousand extra cost for a 20‑ton truck.

■New customs decree plans to reassess tariffs for over 1 000 products.

Policy Outlook and Future Targets

■2025 is projected to see 70 % export growth in Syria.

■The upward trend is expected to continue into 2026.

■Full operation of the İslahiye‑Nusaybin border crossings will positively impact trade.

Fatih Kılıç: The rapid rise in Turkey’s exports to Syria signals a resurgence of regional trade. Yet high tariffs strain inter‑sectoral competitiveness. Lowering these to reasonable levels will enhance both Turkey’s export potential and Syria’s access to needed goods. A renewed free‑trade agreement would be a pivotal step in this direction.