Turkish Tobacco Introduced to Global Market at Dortmund Fair

September 25, 2026 · Tarım Pusulası

Turkish tobacco exporters, who participated in the InterSupply Fair in Germany, aim to increase their annual export volume exceeding $1.1 billion to $1.5 billion in the medium term.

Turkish tobacco took center stage in the international arena at the InterSupply 2026 Fair, held in Dortmund, Germany, between September 15-17, 2026. Oriental tobacco, in which Turkey holds a leading position in production and export, was promoted by the delegation of the Aegean Tobacco Exporters' Association (ETİB). While 820 firms from 64 countries participated in the fair, the event was visited by 15,000 professionals. ETİB Board Member Osman Akın Umur and Audit Board Member Ali Borovalı were present at the ETİB stand, while Düsseldorf Trade Attaché Pınar Aslan and Acting Head of the Tobacco and Tobacco Products Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Hasan Şişik held sectoral meetings.

Selim Jimi, Chairman of the Aegean Tobacco Exporters' Association, announced that tobacco and tobacco products exports increased by 8% in the last year, rising from $1.031 billion to $1.110 billion. In the January-August period of 2026, cigarette exports reached $361 million with a 4% increase. During the same period, exports of shisha tobacco were recorded at $58 million, and cigarette tobacco exports at $43 million. Selim Jimi stated that effective promotional activities will continue to increase market share.

According to ETİB data, leaf tobacco exports showed a remarkable increase of 41% in the January-August period of 2026, rising from $198 million to $279 million. Belgium emerged as Turkey's largest market for leaf tobacco purchases with a demand of $58 million. Belgium was followed by the USA with $52.5 million in purchases and Indonesia with $15 million. In cigarette exports, the USA ranked first with $54 million, while Syria imported $53 million and Iraq $49 million.

Selim Jimi stated that they expect a tobacco harvest of 110,000 tons in Turkey in 2026 and predicted that exports in 2027 will reach $1.25 billion. Emphasizing their medium-term goal of $1.5 billion, the Chairman of the Aegean Tobacco Exporters' Association, Selim Jimi, made the following statement:

The sector aims to maintain its competitive power in international markets through high value-added oriental tobacco production and sustainability projects.

Türkçe