Turkey's tobacco exports reach $1.11 billion, sector targets $1.5 billion

Turkey's exports of tobacco and tobacco products rose 8 percent over the past year to $1.11 billion, and the industry's main exporter group has set a medium-term target of $1.5 billion, the Turkish business daily Dünya reported.

The figures were presented by Selim Jimi, president of the Aegean Tobacco Exporters' Association (ETİB), at InterSupply 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. Exports climbed from $1.031 billion to $1.110 billion over the twelve-month period. "We will take a bigger place on international platforms. We believe our exports will reach $1.25 billion in 2027," Jimi said.

Leaf tobacco drives the growth

The gains are concentrated in unprocessed leaf rather than manufactured goods. In the January–August 2026 period, leaf tobacco exports rose 41 percent year on year, from $198 million to $279 million. Cigarette exports over the same months increased 4 percent to $361 million, remaining the single largest line by value.

• Leaf tobacco: $279 million, up 41 percent from $198 million
• Cigarettes: $361 million, up 4 percent
• Waterpipe tobacco: $58 million
• Cigarette-grade smoking tobacco: $43 million

Belgium and the United States lead the buying

Belgium was the top destination for Turkish leaf tobacco in the January–August period with $58 million, followed by the United States at $52.5 million and Indonesia at $15 million, according to figures cited by Dünya.

The cigarette trade follows a different geography. The United States led with $54 million, ahead of Syria at $53 million and Iraq at $49 million. Taken together, the two neighbouring Middle Eastern markets absorbed more Turkish cigarettes by value than the United States did, leaving a significant share of manufactured-product revenue tied to regional demand.

Oriental tobacco and the 110,000-tonne crop

Turkey is the world leader in the production and export of oriental tobacco, the small-leaf, sun-cured type used as a blending component in cigarette recipes. Total Turkish tobacco output in 2026 is expected to come in at around 110,000 tonnes.

ETİB used InterSupply 2026 to promote Turkish oriental varieties and the sustainability work under way in the sector. The event, one of the tobacco industry's larger global gatherings, ran from 15 to 17 September and drew 820 companies and organisations from 64 countries, with roughly 15,000 industry professionals attending.

The gap to $1.5 billion

Reaching $1.25 billion in 2027 implies growth of about 13 percent from the current $1.11 billion, while the $1.5 billion medium-term goal requires roughly 35 percent more than today's level. The past year delivered an increase of $79 million in absolute terms; the January–August leaf performance alone added $81 million year on year.

Oriental tobacco is labour-intensive and hand-harvested, which limits how quickly planted area and volumes can be expanded. With the 2026 crop projected at 110,000 tonnes, additional export value would have to come from stronger unit prices, a larger share of manufactured and semi-processed products, or a wider set of destination markets — the last of which is what Jimi pointed to in describing plans for a bigger presence at international events.