Turkey has become one of the most important sourcing destinations for importers: close, high-quality, and on many products cheaper and more flexible than Western Europe. But "what to import" is the single most important decision an importer makes — the right product choice is the difference between profit and loss. This guide covers the 7 categories with the strongest demand and margins for importing from Turkey in 2026.
Machinery and transport equipment make up around 31% of Turkey's total exports, and the country is one of the region's key industrial manufacturing bases. We start exactly there.
Industrial machinery & equipment
Turkey's largest export category. Turkish OEMs are usually more flexible on customization than Western European brands — at a lower cost. Mid-sized production lines, industrial machinery, and spare parts are in strong demand. Key tip: choose a supplier who offers long-term spare-parts contracts and training — it lowers buyer risk significantly.
Packaging machinery & materials
One of the highest-demand categories: packaging machines, raw packaging inputs, and industrial plastics. Turkey is strong in plastics and chemicals and offers a wide range of packaging inputs at competitive prices. For food, pharma, and hygiene factories, this category has a steady market.
Construction materials
Construction materials are a pillar of Turkey's foreign trade: ceramics, tiles, faucets, profiles, and building equipment. High quality and design variety make this category attractive for the construction market.
Textiles, fabric & carpets
Turkey's second-largest export category at around $22 billion. Turkey leads the global market for carpets and textile floor coverings (carpet exports around $3 billion). Turkish fabric, apparel, and home textiles enjoy steady demand thanks to quality and design.
Food & agricultural products
Hazelnuts, olives, figs, dried fruit, tomato paste, and processed foods are among Turkey's top exports. Food and agricultural products make up around 9% of Turkey's exports. For food importers, Turkey combines quality, variety, and geographic proximity.
Chemicals & plastics
Plastics and chemicals are among Turkey's biggest exports — from packaging plastics to industrial formulations and cleaning products. This category is especially valuable for factories seeking stable raw materials at competitive prices.
Auto parts & electronics
Automobiles and automotive parts are Turkey's largest export category at over $30 billion a year. Spare parts, accessories, and industrial electronics offer good opportunities for importers.
How to choose the right product
Choosing a product isn't only about "what's profitable"; it has to fit your market, your capital, and your sales channel. A few key criteria:
- Real, steady demand in the destination market — not just a passing trend.
- Margin after shipping, customs, and duties — not just the buy-price difference.
- A credible supplier with capacity and spare parts (especially for machinery).
- The clearance complexity and permits required for that product category.
Why a local partner in Istanbul makes the difference
Knowing "what to import" is half the battle; the other half is finding the right supplier and negotiating with local leverage. Doing this from a distance — without the language or a presence in Turkey — is hard and risky.
As your sourcing office in Istanbul, Yedi Mavi focuses on two specialties — industrial machinery and packaging — and finds, vets, and negotiates with suppliers, then coordinates export to Iran. If you're not sure which product is right for you, talk to us.
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