Turkey’s import sector plays a strategic role in the country’s economy, particularly in terms of its production structure, energy requirements, industrial capacity, technological development, and consumer demand. Located between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Turkey is an important international trade hub and imports a wide range of products.
The country’s major import categories include energy products, machinery and equipment, automotive products, electronic goods, iron and steel, precious metals, plastics, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
In 2025, Turkey’s total imports under the general trade system reached approximately US$365.4 billion, while exports were around US$273.4 billion. The foreign trade deficit was therefore approximately US$92 billion. Imports increased by around 6.2% compared with the previous year.
- General Structure of Turkey’s Import Sector
Turkey’s imports do not consist solely of consumer goods. A significant proportion consists of intermediate goods and production inputs required to maintain domestic industrial production.
In 2025:
Total imports: approximately US$365.4 billion
Total exports: approximately US$273.4 billion
Foreign trade deficit: approximately US$92.0 billion
Exports-to-imports coverage ratio: 74.8%
Share of intermediate goods in imports: 68.4%
Share of capital goods: approximately 15.0%
Share of consumer goods: approximately 16.2%
These figures demonstrate that production-related goods account for a very large share of Turkey’s imports.
- Energy Imports
One of the most important components of Turkey’s import sector is energy.
Turkey has significant energy consumption because of its industrial production, transportation system, electricity generation, and residential demand. However, domestic oil and natural gas production does not currently meet the country’s total consumption requirements.
Consequently, Turkey imports substantial quantities of:
Crude oil
Natural gas
LNG
Refined petroleum products
Coal
Petroleum derivatives
In 2025, mineral fuels and petroleum products represented Turkey’s largest import category, with imports of approximately US$62.5 billion.
High energy imports have a direct impact on Turkey’s foreign trade balance. When international oil and natural gas prices rise, Turkey’s import bill can increase significantly.
Conversely, falling international energy prices can reduce the cost of energy imports and contribute to a reduction in the foreign trade deficit.
- Machinery and Equipment Imports
Machinery imports are particularly important because of Turkey’s large and diversified manufacturing industry.
Turkish factories and production facilities require a wide range of equipment, including:
CNC machines
Industrial robots
Production lines
Compressors
Turbines
Engines
Agricultural machinery
Construction equipment
Textile machinery
Packaging machinery
Electrical equipment
Automation systems
In 2025, imports of machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers, and mechanical equipment reached approximately US$41.6 billion.
This demonstrates that a significant portion of Turkey’s imports directly supports the country’s productive capacity.
- Automotive Imports
The automotive industry is an important component of both Turkey’s exports and imports.
Although Turkey manufactures large numbers of automobiles, commercial vehicles, and automotive components, the sector is deeply integrated into global supply chains.
Turkey imports:
Passenger cars
Electric vehicles
Commercial vehicles
Engines
Transmissions
Electronic systems
Battery components
Automotive parts
In 2025, imports of motor vehicles reached approximately US$36.9 billion.
The increasing adoption of electric vehicles is also changing the structure of automotive imports. Battery technologies, electric motors, power electronics, and other electronic systems are becoming increasingly important components of the automotive supply chain.
- Electrical and Electronic Imports
Demand for electronic products is also significant in Turkey.
Major imported products include:
Computers
Mobile phones
Microchips
Electronic circuits
Semiconductors
Television components
Telecommunications equipment
Electric motors
Electrical control systems
Batteries and energy-storage equipment
In 2025, imports of electrical and electronic machinery and equipment reached approximately US$30 billion.
The expansion of Turkey’s technology sector, together with developments in artificial intelligence, data centers, telecommunications, defense technologies, and electric vehicles, could further increase demand for imported electronic components.
- Iron and Steel Imports
Although Turkey is one of the world’s important steel producers, the country also imports significant quantities of iron and steel products.
The main reasons include:
Energy costs
Raw material requirements
Demand for specialty steel
High industrial consumption
Automotive industry requirements
Machinery manufacturing
Construction activity
In 2025, iron and steel imports reached approximately US$22.2 billion.
Iron and steel imports are particularly important for the automotive, machinery, household-appliance, construction, and metal-processing industries.
- Precious Metals and Gold Imports
Another notable category in Turkey’s imports is precious metals and stones.
These include:
Gold
Silver
Precious stones
Unprocessed precious metals
In 2025, imports of precious stones, precious metals, and coins reached approximately US$28.1 billion.
Gold imports can fluctuate considerably from year to year and can therefore have a significant effect on Turkey’s foreign trade statistics.
- Plastics and Plastic Raw Materials
Turkey’s large plastics, packaging, automotive, household-appliance, and construction industries create substantial demand for plastic raw materials.
Turkey imports products such as:
Polyethylene
Polypropylene
PVC
Plastic granules
Engineering plastics
Plastic intermediate products
In 2025, imports of plastics and plastic products reached approximately US$15.6 billion.
These materials are subsequently processed in Turkish factories and transformed into automotive components, packaging materials, household-appliance parts, construction products, and various consumer goods.
- Chemical Product Imports
The chemical industry is an important part of Turkey’s industrial structure, but the country still depends on imports for many chemical raw materials.
Major import categories include:
Organic chemicals
Inorganic chemicals
Petrochemical products
Plastic raw materials
Paint raw materials
Fertilizer inputs
Industrial chemicals
Specialty chemicals
In 2025, imports of organic chemical products reached approximately US$8.9 billion.
Chemical imports are critical to many industries, including textiles, plastics, automotive manufacturing, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paints, and electronics.
- Pharmaceutical and Medical Product Imports
Turkey has a developed pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, but imports remain important for certain active pharmaceutical ingredients, biotechnology products, specialized medicines, and high-technology medical equipment.
Imported products include:
Medicines
Active pharmaceutical ingredients
Biotechnology products
Medical devices
Laboratory equipment
Medical imaging systems
Surgical equipment
In 2025, pharmaceutical imports were approximately US$6.5 billion, while imports of optical, technical, and medical equipment were approximately US$7.7 billion.
- Aviation and Aerospace Imports
Despite the rapid development of Turkey’s defense and aerospace industries, imports remain necessary for certain highly sophisticated products and technologies.
These include:
Aircraft components
Aviation engines
Electronic systems
Avionics equipment
Satellite technologies
Advanced alloys
Specialized aerospace equipment
In 2025, imports of aircraft and spacecraft reached approximately US$5.4 billion.
Turkey’s increasing investment in domestic defense and aerospace technologies could reduce dependence on certain imported products over the long term.
- Agricultural and Food Imports
Although Turkey is a major agricultural country, it also imports various agricultural commodities and food products.
Reasons include:
Climate conditions
Domestic production shortages
Seasonal supply shortages
Animal-feed requirements
Industrial raw-material requirements
International prices
Consumer preferences
Depending on the year, imported products can include:
Wheat
Corn
Soybeans
Animal-feed ingredients
Oilseeds
Coffee
Cocoa
Certain tropical products
Animal products
The expansion of Turkey’s food-processing industry can increase demand for imported agricultural raw materials.
- The Role of Imports in Turkish Industry
One of the most important characteristics of Turkey’s import sector is the strong relationship between imports and domestic production.
In 2025, intermediate goods accounted for approximately 68.4% of total imports.
For example, a Turkish automobile factory may import:
steel + electronic components + plastics + engine parts + battery components
and then assemble or process these products at its manufacturing facilities in Turkey.
Similarly, a textile factory may import:
polyester fibers + chemical raw materials + textile machinery
and use them to manufacture finished textile products.
Therefore, a high level of imports does not necessarily mean that Turkey is dependent mainly on imported consumer goods.
Many imported intermediate goods are processed in Turkey and transformed into higher-value products that are subsequently exported.
- The Role of the European Union
The European Union has an important position in Turkey’s foreign trade.
Trade between Turkey and the EU is particularly strong in sectors such as:
Automotive
Machinery
Electronics
Chemicals
Iron and steel
Plastics
Pharmaceuticals
Industrial equipment
In 2025, automotive products accounted for approximately €24.7 billion of Turkey’s imports from the EU, while other machinery accounted for approximately €22.4 billion.
The Customs Union and Turkey’s integration into European industrial supply chains are major factors supporting trade between Turkey and the European Union.
- Turkey’s Major Import Partners
European countries, Asian economies, and energy-exporting countries are important suppliers to Turkey.
Major suppliers include, depending on the year and product category:
China
Russia
Germany
United States
Italy
Switzerland
South Korea
France
United Arab Emirates
Spain
The importance of individual supplier countries varies according to the type of product being imported. For example, different countries dominate energy supplies, while European countries have a stronger position in machinery and automotive supply chains.
- China’s Importance in Turkey’s Imports
China is an important supplier to Turkey, particularly in industrial and technology-related products.
Turkey imports a wide range of products from China, including:
Electronic goods
Machinery
Telecommunications equipment
Electrical appliances
Solar-energy equipment
Plastic products
Textile products
Chemicals
Automotive components
China’s enormous manufacturing capacity and competitive prices make it an important source of products and raw materials for many Turkish industries.
- The Impact of Imports on the Foreign Trade Deficit
Turkey’s imports being higher than its exports is one of the main reasons for the country’s foreign trade deficit.
In 2025, Turkey recorded approximately:
US$365.4 billion in imports
compared with:
US$273.4 billion in exports.
This resulted in a foreign trade deficit of approximately US$92 billion.
High imports of energy and high-technology products are particularly important factors contributing to this deficit.
- Efforts to Reduce Import Dependence
Turkey has implemented various policies in recent years aimed at reducing dependence on imports in strategic areas.
These include:
Renewable energy investments
Domestic automobile and electric-vehicle production
Battery technologies
Defense industry development
Domestic pharmaceutical production
Petrochemical investments
Domestic machinery manufacturing
Semiconductor and electronics technologies
Iron and steel investments
Increasing agricultural production
The objective is not simply to reduce imports but also to increase Turkey’s high-value-added production capacity.
- The Impact of Renewable Energy on Imports
Turkey’s investments in solar and wind energy could have a long-term impact on energy imports.
Greater use of renewable energy can:
Reduce natural-gas consumption
Reduce dependence on imported energy
Lower the energy import bill
Contribute to improving the current-account balance
However, Turkey also imports some solar panels, inverters, battery systems, and other renewable-energy equipment. Therefore, the energy transition can initially create new import categories.
For this reason, the long-term objective should not only be to increase renewable-energy capacity but also to manufacture more of these technologies domestically.
- Technology Imports
One of the structural challenges in Turkey’s import sector is dependence on foreign suppliers for certain high-technology products.
In 2025, manufactured goods accounted for approximately 81.8% of total imports, while high-technology products represented approximately 11.8% of manufacturing-industry imports.
This highlights Turkey’s need for greater domestic production capacity in areas such as:
Semiconductors
Microchips
Advanced electronics
Precision machinery
Aerospace technologies
Pharmaceutical technologies
Medical devices
Artificial-intelligence hardware
21. Advantages of Turkey’s Import Sector
Imports have several positive effects on the Turkish economy.
Supporting Production Capacity
Factories can obtain the raw materials, components, and machinery they need through imports.
Technology Transfer
Imported machinery and technologies from developed economies can contribute to the modernization of Turkish production.
Increasing Consumer Choice
Imported products provide consumers with a wider selection of products and brands.
Increasing Competition
Competition from international companies can encourage Turkish producers to improve their quality, efficiency, and productivity.
Supporting Exports
Imported intermediate goods can be processed in Turkey and incorporated into higher-value products for export.
- Challenges Facing Turkey’s Import Sector
High imports also create several important risks.
Energy Dependence
Dependence on imported oil and natural gas can put pressure on the foreign trade balance.
Foreign-Currency Requirements
High imports increase the economy’s and companies’ demand for foreign currency.
Exchange-Rate Risk
A depreciation of the Turkish lira can increase the cost of imported products.
Technology Dependence
Dependence on imported high-technology products can create vulnerabilities in strategically important sectors.
Current-Account Deficit
If imports grow faster than exports, pressure on the foreign trade and current-account balances can increase.
- The Future of Turkey’s Import Sector
Several major trends are likely to shape Turkey’s import sector in the coming years.
First is the energy transition. Increasing investment in solar, wind, nuclear energy, and energy storage could gradually change the structure of Turkey’s energy imports.
Second is electric mobility. The expansion of electric vehicles and battery technologies could significantly change the composition of automotive imports.
Third is digital technology. Artificial intelligence, data centers, semiconductors, robotics, and automation systems could create new areas of import demand.
Fourth is defense and aerospace. Turkey’s progress in domestic defense and aerospace technologies could reduce dependence on certain strategic imports.
Fifth is domestic intermediate-goods production. One of the most effective ways for Turkey to reduce import dependence is to increase domestic production of the intermediate goods used by its industrial sectors.
Turkey’s import sector is not simply a component of consumer demand. It is a fundamental part of the country’s industrial production, energy system, technological infrastructure, and export capacity.
With approximately US$365 billion in imports in 2025, Turkey is deeply integrated into the global economy. The fact that approximately 68.4% of imports consisted of intermediate goods demonstrates that a substantial portion of imports is used directly in production processes.
Looking ahead, Turkey’s main objective should not simply be to reduce the volume of imports. Instead, the country needs to increase domestic production capacity in energy, advanced technology, machinery, electronics, chemicals, and strategic raw materials.
A successful import strategy should combine:
Domestic production + technology investment + energy independence + high-value-added exports.
From this perspective, Turkey’s import sector is not only an economic challenge but also an important opportunity for industrial development, technological advancement, and greater integration into higher-value segments of global supply chains.
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