With a 4.5% annual increase, Türkiye marks its fifth consecutive year of export growth, fueled by a 14% record jump in the ornamental plants and flowers sector.
Türkiye has concluded 2025 on a historic high, with total exports reaching $273.4 billion, marking a 4.5% increasecompared to the previous year. According to data from the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), this achievement signifies an uninterrupted five-year upward trend since 2021, driven by strategic “trade diplomacy” and robust government support for exporters.
The sectoral breakdown reveals that 18 out of 26 sub-sectors grew their export volumes in 2025. While the Defense and Aerospace industry led the growth charts with a staggering 48.7% increase, the Ornamental Plants and Products sector emerged as a significant winner, ranking third in growth rate with a 13.7% rise, reaching an all-time high of $160 million.
Ornamental Plants: A Record-Breaking Bloom İsmail Yılmaz, Chairman of the Ornamental Plants and Products Exporters’ Association, hailed 2025 as a turning point for the industry. “Our exports reached the $160 million threshold, a historic success that showcases our growing power in international markets,” Yılmaz stated.
The star performer of the sector was the “Live Plants” category, which saw a 23% surge, reaching $97 million. Indoor potted plants, in particular, witnessed massive demand. Meanwhile, Cut Flowers maintained steady growth, with carnations remaining the most exported variety globally.
Strategic Market Expansions: Germany and Beyond Turkish ornamental plants have now reached over 75 countries. The 2025 growth was fueled by both deepening existing ties and penetrating new markets:
- Germany: Witnessed a remarkable 44% growth in exports.
- Azerbaijan: Grew by 11%.
- Uzbekistan: Saw an explosive 96% increase in the live plants segment.
- The Netherlands: Remained a strategic hub with steady performance in cut flowers.
Other significant markets for cut flowers included the UK, Poland, Russia, and Denmark, the latter seeing a notable 50% increase in Turkish flower imports.
Roadmap for 2026: Targeting the Gulf and Iberia Despite challenges such as rising energy costs and high air cargo fees for distant markets, the sector is optimistic about the future. Under the UR-GE (Supporting International Competitiveness) projects, Turkish exporters have set their sights on Qatar, Dubai, Portugal, and Spain for 2026.
“We anticipate a growth of at least 12% in 2026,” Yılmaz projected. “By diversifying our products and targeting special occasions like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Christmas with high-value-added products, we aim to make this growth sustainable.”
Citations & References
- TIM (Turkish Exporters Assembly): “2025 Export Performance Report: Sectoral Breakdown and Annual Records.” (January 2026).
- Anadolu Agency (AA): “Süs bitkileri sektörü 2025’te tarihi rekora imza attı” (Reported January 12, 2026).
- Ministry of Trade: “Strategic Trade Diplomacy and 2026 Export Vision Document.”
- Daily Sabah: “Türkiye’s exports hit all-time high of $273B in 2025.” (Economic Analysis).
