Aegean Exporters Shine at 2025 Stars of Export Awards

It is award time for Aegean exporters, who generated 18.5 billion dollars in exports for Turkey in 2025.

The Aegean Exporters' Associations awarded 51 prizes in 17 categories at the 'Stars of Export' award ceremony they organized.

The Turkish economy underwent a multi-layered test in 2025.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Aegean Exporters' Associations Coordinator President Jak Eskinazi stated, 'The year 2025 was characterized by 'moderate but fragile growth' in the global economy, accompanied by high geopolitical and financial risks. In this global environment, the Turkish economy also faced a multi-layered test in 2025. While sectors exporting to the Eurozone gained some advantage, those exporting in dollar terms faced greater challenges. The high level of financing costs has increased the private sector's foreign currency borrowing, creating serious vulnerabilities in the event of potential exchange rate shocks.'

Without the parity effect, EIB exports would have been lower than in 2024.

President Eskinazi continued his remarks by explaining that employment losses were experienced particularly in labor-intensive sectors such as textiles and ready-made clothing:

'Some companies have continued to relocate their production to countries with cost advantages. As the Aegean Exporters' Associations, our exports for 2025 amounted to 18.5 billion dollars. Although EIB's total exports in 2025 increased by 1% compared to 2024, when we adjust for the parity effect, our exports actually decreased by 1.7% in 2025 compared to 2024. Without the parity effect, EIB exports would likely have been lower than in 2024.'

The Aegean Region did not receive its share of the export increase in Turkey in 2025.

President Eskinazi stated, 'According to the export statistics by province for 2025 provided by the Ministry of Trade, the Aegean Region generated 43.7 billion dollars for Turkey in 2025 but did not receive its share of the export increase. While Turkey's exports rose from 261.7 billion dollars to 273.4 billion dollars with a 4.5% increase in 2025, the export growth rate of the Aegean Region remained at 0.6%. İzmir became the third city in Turkey with the highest exports in 2025, reaching 23 billion 614 million dollars. Manisa, in second place in the Aegean Region, generated 7.4 billion dollars for Turkey despite a 3.5% decrease in exports in 2025. Denizli, in third place, reached 4.5 billion dollars in exports with a 6.4% increase.'

At what cost, with what profitability, and how sustainably was this export made?

Jak Eskinazi remarked, 'Our exports in 2025 involved the efforts of over 8,000 firms. Our top 100 firms accounted for 59% of total exports. Today, we will present 51 awards in 17 categories. The firms receiving awards account for 38% of our exports, with a total export value of 7 billion dollars. We thank each of our firms individually. However, I would like to express clearly: The total export figure alone does not adequately convey the reality on the ground. The real question that should be asked is: At what cost, with what profitability, and how sustainably was this export made?'

Without predictability, long-term planning is not possible, investments are postponed, and risks are not taken.

President Eskinazi explained that for many sectors, 2025 was not a year of growth but rather a year of survival and resilience:

'The biggest side effect of the inflation reduction program has been the erosion of profitability and equity in labor-intensive export sectors. As we enter 2026, our biggest problem is the weakening of predictability. Where there is no predictability, long-term planning cannot be made, investments are postponed, and risks are not taken. We believe that an approach that centers production, rewards the long term, and strengthens industry is possible and now essential.'

Expectations for 2026.

President Eskinazi summarized his expectations for 2026 as follows: 'We anticipate that the tight stance in monetary policy will continue, the real value of the Turkish Lira will be preserved, the valuable TL policy in the fight against inflation will continue, the movement in favor of the Euro in the Euro/Dollar parity may persist, we do not expect a significant relaxation in credit channels, and difficulties will continue in labor-intensive sectors.'

Our exporters have made great sacrifices so far.

Eskinazi stated that 2026 will continue to be a year that tests resilience for many sectors, saying, 'Our exporters have made great sacrifices so far. However, this sacrifice must now be supported by sustainable policies. I hope that 2026 will be a year where producers are rewarded, investors are encouraged, and it is a year of action rather than waiting.'

TİM President Mustafa Gültepe said, '2024 was a difficult year for our exports. 2025 became an even more challenging year. Despite all the difficulties, we increased our exports by 4.5% last year, reaching 273.4 billion dollars. Thus, we achieved the highest annual export value. In December, we also realized our highest monthly export performance to date with 26.4 billion dollars. In 2025, we achieved an export increase of 11.6 billion dollars in value. Of this difference, 7.7 billion dollars came from the exports of just five firms in the automotive, defense industry, and jewelry sectors.'

Without the parity and the contribution of five firms, we could have finished 2025 in the negative.

Gültepe highlighted the 5.4 billion dollars increase in exports in 2025 due to parity, stating, 'Without the parity and the contribution of five firms, we could have finished 2025 in the negative. Net exports have been pulling down growth for four quarters because the balance between costs and exchange rates has been disrupted. From January 2022 to January 2026, in four years; the minimum wage increased by 560%, inflation by 367%, the dollar exchange rate by 217%, and the euro exchange rate by 228%. Under current conditions, there is no environment that will raise the exchange rate to a competitive level. Therefore, we need to implement different support mechanisms that will enhance our competitiveness.'

We hope our demands will be met before the damage grows further.

President Gültepe addressed what needs to be done to regain competitiveness in labor-intensive sectors:

'The employment support should be increased to 6,000 lira, the minimum wage support should be raised to 2,500 lira; regulations should be made for the more effective and efficient implementation of foreign currency conversion support; and policies should be implemented to ensure our exporters have access to long-term and low-interest financing. We hope that our demands, which we have grouped under four headings and presented to our President, will be met before the damage grows further. Our fundamental problem is high production costs… For the last 2-3 years, we have not only been selling products to the world. We are also trying to export our inflation along with the product.'

Under these conditions, we cannot compete on the global stage.

Mustafa Gültepe stated, 'The world is talking about trade wars. Countries are building customs walls against each other and imposing additional taxes. They do not need to impose additional taxes on us. Because even if we pay no taxes, we can still be more expensive than our competitors in the markets we enter. Under these conditions, we cannot compete on the global stage. However, we know that even in the toughest times, there can be opportunities. Last year, over 6,800 of our firms exported under the roof of EIB. I thank all firms that add value to our export ecosystem.'

In 2026, we will provide a total of 45 billion TL to our exporters.

Mehmet Ali Kılıçkaya, General Director of Exports at the Ministry of Trade, stated, 'In 2025, we provided approximately 33 billion TL in support under the Support and Price Stability Fund (DFIF), with 25.5 billion TL for goods and 7.3 billion TL for service exports. In 2026, we plan to provide a total of 45 billion TL to our exporters, including 32.8 billion TL for goods and 12.2 billion TL for services. The valuable exporters of İzmir have presented an exemplary table. We are continuing our efforts to implement the Export Academy Export Specialization Training Program in collaboration with İzmir University of Economics in 2026.'

Izmir is the 3rd city with the highest exports.

Kılıçkaya noted, 'Izmir, which is always among the top ranks in our country's exports, became the third city with the highest exports in 2025, reaching 23.6 billion dollars (2024: 23.8 billion dollars). The number of exporters in İzmir approached 15,000 in 2025. The number of countries reached from İzmir exceeded 200, and the number of products exceeded 7,400. The state aids provided to the exporters of İzmir, who walk every step with the goal of a stronger Turkey on the global stage, are continuously increasing as a concrete indicator of this goal. Indeed, the state aids provided to İzmir in 2024, amounting to approximately 1.2 billion TL, reached 2 billion TL by 2025.'

THE TOP THREE EXPORTING FIRMS AMONG EGE EXPORTERS' ASSOCIATIONS MEMBERS:

The first prize goes to PETKİM PETROCHEMICAL HOLDING INC.,

The second prize goes to KILIÇ SEA PRODUCTS PRODUCTION EXPORT IMPORT AND TRADE INC.,

The third prize goes to PERGAMON STATUS FOREIGN TRADE INC.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye