Turkey’s tobacco exports rose 8.4% to $1.06 billion in 2025
Turkey exported $1.06 billion of tobacco products in 2025, an increase of 8.4% from the previous year. Cigarettes generated $501 million, while leaf tobacco and hookah tobacco contributed $336 million and $105 million, respectively.
Exports reach $1.06 billion
Turkey’s tobacco industry increased its exports by 8.4% in 2025 despite uncertainty in the global economy, higher costs and volatility in international trade. Total exports reached $1.06 billion, according to Selim Jimi, chairman of the Aegean Tobacco Exporters’ Association, in comments reported by Son Dakika.
Turkish tobacco and tobacco products were shipped to 112 countries during the year. Iraq, the United States, Belgium, Iran and the United Arab Emirates were among the principal destinations. Jimi said the results showed that the industry had maintained its position in international markets and continued to attract demand across different regions despite difficult trading conditions.
Cigarettes remain the largest product category
Manufactured cigarettes accounted for $501 million of the 2025 export total, making them the industry’s largest reported export segment. Leaf tobacco generated $336 million, while hookah tobacco exports were valued at $105 million. Together, these three categories represented $942 million and formed the core of Turkey’s tobacco export portfolio.
The figures also show the importance of both industrial processing and agricultural supply to the sector. Cigarette exports depend on manufacturing capacity, while the performance of leaf and hookah tobacco directly affects growers, processors and specialist traders. The broad destination base reduces reliance on a single buyer, although demand in the Middle East, North America and Europe remains particularly important.
Growth continues into the first half of 2026
The Aegean Tobacco Exporters’ Association also reported a positive start to 2026. Its exports increased by 4% in the first six months, rising from $472 million in the corresponding period of the previous year to $489 million. The leading product groups remained cigarettes, leaf tobacco and hookah tobacco, while the largest markets during the period were the United States, Iraq, Syria, Iran and the Russian Federation.
Domestic production is also expanding following a regulation intended to raise the share of locally grown tobacco used in cigarettes manufactured in Turkey. Jimi said the measure had created opportunities for the industry and accelerated investment in production infrastructure. Work to increase cultivation of Virginia and Burley varieties has lifted production of these foreign-type tobaccos to 30,000 tonnes, while Turkey’s total tobacco output has exceeded 100,000 tonnes. The additional supply can help manufacturers meet domestic demand with locally produced leaf while widening the range available to processors and exporters. The export gains nevertheless come against continuing uncertainty in global trade and persistent regional risks, leaving costs, market access and demand across Turkey’s diverse customer base as central considerations for the industry.
