Türkiye’s export landscape in the first half of 2025 reveals a promising trajectory, especially for the industrial sector and the capital city Ankara. Based on figures compiled from the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM) and analyzed in a recent report prepared by the Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO), the country’s industrial exports not only grew but outpaced the national average. With a surge in technology-intensive production, Ankara is emerging as a key player in Türkiye’s drive toward a diversified, innovation-led economy.
Industrial Sector Leads Export Growth in Türkiye
During the first six months of 2025, Türkiye’s total exports reached 131.4 billion US dollars, marking a year-on-year increase of 4.1 percent. However, the industrial sector demonstrated even stronger momentum, growing by 5.8 percent and achieving 93.5 billion dollars in exports. With an 82 percent share of total exports, the industrial sector remained the engine of the national export economy.
In contrast, the agricultural and mining sectors contributed modestly, with growth rates of 0.6 and 0.9 percent respectively. This disparity further underlines the structural weight of industrial production in Türkiye’s external trade portfolio.
Ankara’s Export Share Continues to Rise
Ankara’s rise in export prominence is one of the standout trends of the report. In 2021, the capital city accounted for 4.2 percent of Türkiye’s total exports in the first half of the year. By 2025, this figure had climbed to 5.4 percent. That translates into a total export value of 7.1 billion dollars for the January to June period, reflecting an 11.2 percent increase compared to the same timeframe in the previous year.
With this performance, Ankara has secured its position as the fourth-largest exporting province in Türkiye. Experts predict that, if current trends continue, the share of high-tech products in Ankara’s exports could reach approximately 13 percent in the coming periods. This is a significant figure in a country where the overall high-tech export share is still developing.
Technology and Innovation Drive Capital City’s Export Surge
One of the most critical factors in Ankara’s export growth is its specialization in high-value, high-tech products. According to the ASO-ILTEK 2024 Index, which measures the technological advancement of provinces across Türkiye, Ankara ranks first. This technological leadership is not just theoretical. It is now clearly visible in the city’s export composition.
The expansion of advanced production capacity in sectors such as machinery, electronics, and precision systems has played a decisive role. These developments have made Ankara a hub for value-added exports, reducing its reliance on traditional, lower-margin industries.
Diverse Export Markets Reflect Strategic Outreach
The report also highlights Ankara’s growing ability to diversify its export destinations. The most dramatic increase came from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where exports from Ankara skyrocketed by an astonishing 2775.9 percent. Slovakia followed with a 458.6 percent increase.
This expansion into non-traditional markets underscores Ankara’s strategic intent to broaden its global footprint. Such diversification reduces risk, increases resilience, and positions Ankara-based exporters to better navigate changing global economic conditions.
Sectoral Breakdown Shows Dominance of Machinery and Automotive
A closer look at the sectors driving Ankara’s export engine reveals that machinery and related components, along with the automotive industry, took the lead. These sectors accounted for the largest share of the capital’s export earnings.
In addition, export volumes increased in sectors such as electronics, textiles and apparel, and building materials like cement, ceramics, and glass. Interestingly, some traditionally strong sectors such as HVAC systems, chemical products, and certain types of heavy machinery saw slight declines, which analysts attribute to global supply chain adjustments and price fluctuations.
Nonetheless, the general trend reinforces the structural transformation of Türkiye’s export base toward a more diversified and technologically advanced profile.
Türkiye’s Export Strategy Gains Structural Depth
While Türkiye’s broader export strategy remains heavily industrial, the Ankara case demonstrates how targeted support for high-tech development can create regional export powerhouses. This shift is not just economic but strategic. High-tech industries typically offer higher profit margins, greater global competitiveness, and stronger potential for sustainable growth.
The emphasis on research and development, digital transformation, and green innovation is becoming increasingly central to Türkiye’s industrial policy. For cities like Ankara, these priorities align well with their educational institutions, innovation clusters, and tech-savvy workforce.
The Role of Public Policy and Strategic Investment
The report underlines that sustaining this momentum will require continued and carefully directed public support. Policymakers are being urged to channel incentives into strategic industries that offer high export potential. Moreover, initiatives to support R&D, technological upskilling, and sustainable production practices are deemed essential for long-term competitiveness.
Green transformation is another pillar of future export growth. As global trade partners demand higher environmental standards, Turkish exporters will need to adopt cleaner technologies, improve energy efficiency, and reduce emissions. Ankara’s relatively modern industrial base may provide a competitive advantage in this context.
Ankara’s Transformation Reflects Türkiye’s New Economic Identity
Ankara’s shift toward high-tech and value-added production is symbolic of a broader evolution within Türkiye’s economy. No longer focused solely on volume or low-cost output, the country is moving toward an innovation-driven model. This is evident not only in capital cities but increasingly across regional industrial zones.
The country’s strategic goals for 2025 and beyond place significant emphasis on industrial self-sufficiency, export competitiveness, and global integration. These goals are supported by national programs in innovation, digital infrastructure, and smart manufacturing.
Challenges Remain but the Outlook Is Positive
Despite the encouraging figures, challenges remain. Global economic volatility, supply chain disruptions, and trade tensions still pose risks. Additionally, sectors that rely heavily on imported raw materials are vulnerable to currency fluctuations and external shocks.
However, the increasing share of technology exports, expanding market reach, and growing sophistication in production are strong indicators that Türkiye’s export profile is becoming more robust and future-ready.
Conclusion
Ankara’s performance in the first half of 2025 illustrates how regional hubs can drive national economic transformation. With a growing share in Türkiye’s total exports, a solid lead in technological capability, and strategic market expansion, the capital city is becoming a cornerstone of the country’s export strategy.
As Türkiye continues to pursue a balanced, innovation-led growth model, Ankara’s rise serves as a blueprint for other cities. The future of the country’s economy will be shaped not just by national policies but by the capacity of regional ecosystems to innovate, adapt, and lead on the global stage.
