ISTANBUL, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye's exports to Syria surged 69.6 percent in 2025, reaching a total of 2.6 billion U.S. dollars, the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) said Friday.
The cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and products sector led the growth, rising 35.4 percent from 2024 to generate 700 million dollars in revenue. Surges were also recorded for chemical substances and products, up 78.6 percent to nearly 300 million dollars, and electrical and electronic products, which rose 61 percent to 224 million dollars.
Geographically, the southeastern province of Gaziantep was the top exporter to Syria with 653 million dollars in sales, up 35.7 percent from 2024. Istanbul followed with 382 million dollars, and Ankara with 282 million dollars.
Celal Kadooglu, head of TIM's Syria Desk, attributed the surge to "a year-long, systematic effort," citing close coordination between exporters and public authorities alongside growing regional investments. He added that a more stable Middle East and Syria's reintegration into regional trade networks would further expand bilateral and broader regional trade links.
The surge reflects Türkiye's expanding economic influence in northern Syria, particularly in areas near Turkish-controlled zones and trade corridors established after the fall of Bashar Al-Assad's government in December 2024.
Türkiye's exports rose 4.5 percent year on year to 273.4 billion dollars in 2025, marking the highest export figure in the country's history. ■