Türkiye’s exports to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan totalled USD 36.6 billion in 2020–2024, while its imports from member states of the Organization of Turkic States reached USD 26 billion.
Türkiye’s total trade with members of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) over the past five years reached USD 62.6 billion, a figure that, according to TurkStat, is driven largely by gains from the Zangezur Corridor and Middle Corridor trade routes.
Azerbaijan was the largest importer from Türkiye, buying USD 12.8 billion of goods in the period, mainly machinery and mechanical equipment, plastics and plastic products, and motor vehicles. Türkiye in turn imported USD 5.3 billion of goods from Azerbaijan, mainly mineral fuels, cotton, aluminium, iron and steel.
Turkish–Azerbaijani trade is expanding, especially with the transport of Azerbaijan’s rich oil and gas resources to Europe through Türkiye via projects such as the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, the Baku–Tbilisi–Erzurum (BTE) pipeline and the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP). In recent years Türkiye has been the largest buyer of electricity from Azerbaijan, reflecting their diversified energy cooperation and strengthening security of supply.
The Zangezur Corridor, linking Azerbaijan to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, is a key regional trade route expected to strengthen ties by lowering logistics costs and increasing transit capacity and volume. It will also serve as an “infrastructure corridor” connecting power grids and digital communication lines between Türkiye and Azerbaijan. Turkish contractors are also involved in major projects in Azerbaijan, including housing, airports, water and power networks and energy transmission lines.
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan
Türkiye’s exports to Kazakhstan over the past five years reached USD 10.2 billion and imports USD 13.2 billion. Machinery and knitted clothing and accessories led exports, while imports were mainly copper and copper products, mineral fuels, and aluminium and aluminium products.
Kazakhstan is Türkiye’s most important trading partner in Central Asia, and Türkiye is among the top five investors in the country. The Middle Corridor, a key Eurasian transport and trade route, has helped boost trade between the two. In July this year Türkiye signed a rail agreement with Kazakhstan to develop the Middle Corridor and increase the volume and quality of rail services. In the same period, Türkiye’s trade with Kyrgyzstan was USD 5.4 billion and with Uzbekistan USD 15.8 billion.
Summit of Turkic states
The data come ahead of the 12th summit of the OTS Council of Heads of State, to be held next Monday and Tuesday in Gabala, Azerbaijan. The summit will focus on regional peace and security, and participants are expected to review regional and global developments and sign agreements to strengthen cooperation and prosperity among Turkic states.
The founding members of the OTS are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye; Uzbekistan joined in 2019. Hungary, Turkmenistan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) have observer status.
