Exports from free zones in Türkiye during the January–March period rose by 1.8 per cent compared with the same period last year, reaching 3 billion 23 million dollars.
Yusuf Kılınç, Chairman of the Association of Free Zone Founders and Operators, stated in a press release that the trade volume of free zones in the first quarter had risen by 0.45 per cent year-on-year to 6 billion 733 million dollars.
Noting that trade from Türkiye to free zones had risen by 3.3 per cent to reach 855 million dollars during this period, Kılınç stated the following:
‘’Exports from free zones rose by 1.8 per cent to 3.023 billion dollars. Türkiye free zones demonstrated resilience in the first quarter of 2026, maintaining their performance despite the slowdown in global trade and regional risks. Whilst the trade volume reached 6 billion 733 million dollars in the first quarter, the increase in exports and foreign-related trade items in particular once again highlighted the strategic role of free zones in the Türkiye economy.’’
Kılınç stated that, during this period, the Bursa Free Zone recorded the strongest growth, increasing its exports by 29 per cent and its trade volume by 22 per cent.
Noting that free zones had shown limited but high-quality growth in the first quarter of 2026, Kılınç said, “They continued to contribute to Türkiye export capacity. In particular, the composition of growth centred on foreign trade confirms that free zones are not merely areas that generate trade volume, but also strategic production and logistics centres that support Türkiye global competitiveness.”
