Aegean Region exports slump 7.3% in November: A $270 million loss

WISE NEWS PRESS / IZMIR, TURKEY — DEC. 12, 2025

The Aegean Region, Turkey’s second-largest export hub, diverged negatively from the national trend in November, recording a significant 7.3% decline in foreign sales. While Turkey’s overall exports rose by 2.2%, the Aegean’s volume fell from $3.7 billion to $3.4 billion, representing a loss of $270 million compared to the same month last year.

According to data released by the Ministry of Trade and the Aegean Exporters' Associations (EIB), the region’s 11-month total exports remained relatively flat, inching up just 1% to reach $39.9 billion. The November downturn was primarily driven by sharp contractions in the region's industrial heavyweights: Izmir, Manisa, and Denizli.

Major hubs hit the brakes

Izmir, the region's economic engine, suffered an 11% drop in November, generating $1.76 billion compared to $1.97 billion in November 2024. despite the monthly slump, Izmir maintained its position as Turkey's third-largest exporter (after Istanbul and Kocaeli) with an 11-month total of $21.6 billion.

Other key provinces also faced headwinds:

• Manisa: Exports fell by 9.3% to $608 million.

  
  

• Denizli: Recorded a 1.8% decrease, closing the month at $359.6 million.

• Kütahya: Saw a 4.3% decline. The city is now expected to miss its $1 billion export target for 2025, pushing the goal to 2026.

Bright spots: Muğla and Afyonkarahisar

Contrasting the general decline, specific sectors and provinces managed to post gains. Muğla, the national leader in aquaculture exports, became the region's growth record-holder for November with a 9% increase, reaching $119 million.

Afyonkarahisar, a global hub for marble and natural stone, continued its strong performance. It was the only province in the region to achieve double-digit growth over the 11-month period (up 21.6%). In November alone, its exports rose by 7% to $50 million. Balıkesir also maintained stability, rising 1.5% and aiming to surpass the $2.5 billion threshold by year's end.

Expert view: "Currency rates are hurting competitiveness"

Jak Eskinazi, Coordinator President of the Aegean Exporters' Associations, attributed the decline to structural issues rather than a lack of demand. Citing the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) Export Climate Index, which hit a high of 52.4, Eskinazi emphasized that external markets are recovering, but Turkish exporters are losing their competitive edge.

"Economic activity is growing in eight of our top 10 export markets, yet our regional exports are shrinking by over 7%. We cannot be competitive with exchange rates that have lagged far behind inflation for three years. While global demand is reviving, Turkish exporters are being crushed by high costs. If cost pressures are alleviated, 2026 could be a year of recovery; otherwise, this negative picture will deepen."

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