Turkey's strengthening diplomatic relations with Gulf countries have also been reflected in export figures. According to data from the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), Turkey's exports to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, consisting of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain, reached $826.8 million in June, a 35.7% increase compared to the same period last year.
Saudi Arabia Ranked First
Turkey's total exports in June rose 21.8% year-on-year to $24.94 billion, while the strong increase in exports to Gulf countries stood out. In June, the highest exports among Gulf countries were to Saudi Arabia, with $425.2 million.
Saudi Arabia was followed by the United Arab Emirates with $295.6 million, Kuwait with $34.7 million, Qatar with $34.2 million, Oman with $29.1 million, and Bahrain with $8 million. Total exports to Gulf countries in the first six months of the year amounted to approximately $4.1 billion.
Biggest Increase in Saudi Arabia
In June, the country that increased its exports the most in value terms compared to the same period last year was Saudi Arabia, with an increase of $229.8 million. Exports to Oman rose by $13.5 million, to Kuwait by $8.2 million, and to Qatar by $7.4 million. In the same period, exports to the United Arab Emirates fell by $40.8 million, and exports to Bahrain fell by $567,000.
Jewelry Sector Tops the List
In exports to Gulf countries, the jewelry sector ranked first with $105.6 million. It was followed by chemicals and chemical products with $69 million, cereals, pulses, oil seeds and their products with $59.2 million, electrical and electronics with $47.9 million, and machinery and parts with $29 million.
Exports to Gulf countries in June this year (in thousand dollars) are as follows:
1 - 30 JUNE COUNTRY 2025 2026
UAE 336,399.60 295,581.68
BAHRAIN 8,615.26 8,048.41
QATAR 26,758.97 34,150.74
KUWAIT 26,484.87 34,707.61
SAUDI ARABIA 195,375.38 425,203.28
OMAN 15,587.64 29,061.56
