Türkiye’s wheat flour exports totalled 2.34 million tonnes in January–December 2025, generating USD 873.2 million in revenue, according to industry figures, as the sector managed weaker volumes but firmer unit values across a diversified set of destinations.

Operating under the umbrella of Turkish Flour Industrialists Federation (TUSAF), the country’s flour industry remains a strategic component of national food supply security and one of Türkiye’s best-known value-added exporters in grain-based products. The sector’s average export price rose to around USD 373 per tonne in 2025, while December shipments reached 208,020 tonnes worth USD 74.8 million, broadly in line with the same month a year earlier, indicating a stable finish to the year.

Commenting on the 2025 performance, Mesut Çakmak, Chairman of the Board of TUSAF, said exports fell 22.5% year-on-year to about 2.345 million tonnes, but the industry is aiming to recover to 3 million tonnes in 2026.

SYRIA EMERGES AS A FAST-GROWING MARKET

A rebalancing among destination markets was one of the most notable features of 2025, with Syria standing out as a key growth outlet. In December, flour exports to Syria climbed to 56,972 tonnes valued at USD 19.7 million, up 41.3% in volume and 48.8% in value year-on-year. Full-year exports to Syria reached 629,727 tonnes, generating USD 214.3 million, positioning the country among the fastest-growing markets for Turkish flour.

While volumes eased in Iraq, the industry preserved a wide customer base and continued to develop alternative routes, with gains reported across parts of Africa, the Middle East and selected distant markets. Growth in destinations such as Ghana, Somalia, Cuba and Indonesia underscored the sector’s flexibility in reallocating volumes when individual markets softened.

On a provincial basis, Istanbul and Gaziantep maintained leadership in exports, while gains in Çorum, Aydın, Bursa and Edirne highlighted a geographically broad production and export footprint.

2026 OUTLOOK

With its established production infrastructure and long-standing export network, the Turkish flour industry is entering 2026 with a clearer emphasis on rebuilding volumes and defending market share. The 3 million-tonne export target reflects the sector’s confidence in its capacity and trading experience, while competition dynamics and demand conditions across key importing regions will remain central variables shaping performance through the year.