Road Freight Dominates Türkiye’s Export Logistics with 41% Share

According to data released by the International Transporters Association (UND), 41 percent of Türkiye’s merchandise exports in 2025 were carried out via road transport. Of the country’s total export volume of USD 273 billion, road transport accounted for approximately USD 111 billion in export cargo value. Throughout the year, a total of 2,145,000 international road transport trips were conducted.

UND shared Türkiye’s 2025 international road transport statistics with the public during the “2025 Transport Statistics Evaluation Meeting”, which was attended by Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, Deputy Minister of Trade Sezai Uçarmak, and Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Durmuş Ünüvar.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat stated that the global logistics sector has reached a size of approximately USD 11 trillion, accounting for nearly 10 percent of the global economy. Highlighting the rapid growth of Türkiye’s logistics sector, Bolat noted that logistics service exports reached USD 42.4 billion in 2025, representing 35 percent of Türkiye’s total service exports of USD 122.5 billion. Bolat also emphasized that the overall size of Türkiye’s logistics sector has exceeded USD 100 billion.

Bolat added that significant steps have been taken to enhance the sector’s competitiveness through digitalization and the simplification of customs procedures. Initiatives such as the e-TIR System, the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS), and the Single Window System have accelerated transportation processes. Bolat also announced that export support mechanisms have been simplified and expanded, increasing the number of overseas supported units for logistics companies from five to twenty-five.

New Corridors and a New Border Gate to Boost Türkiye’s Logistics Power

Minister Bolat also highlighted new transportation projects that are expected to strengthen Türkiye’s position in global trade. He stated that the Middle Corridor, the Zangezur Corridor, and the Iraq Development Road Project will transform Türkiye into a major logistics hub connecting Europe, Central Asia, and the Gulf region.

At the end of the meeting, Bolat announced that work has begun on the establishment of a new border gate between Türkiye and Bulgaria. The planned crossing, to be located just north of Kapıkule, is expected to ease congestion at Kapıkule, Hamzabeyli, and İpsala, while providing a significant new opportunity for commercial transport to Europe.

Nearly Half of Exports to Europe Carried by Road

According to figures shared by UND Chairman of the Board Şerafettin Aras during the meeting, road transport was used to carry USD 72.3 billion worth of exports to Europe via 992,546 trips, USD 16.96 billion to the Caucasus and Central Asia via 271,000 trips, USD 21.6 billion to the Middle East and North Africa via 870,000 trips in 2025. Emphasizing that Europe remains Türkiye’s primary foreign trade market, Aras stated that approximately half of Türkiye’s exports to Europe were transported by road.

Also addressing southern transport routes, Aras highlighted a notable increase in shipments to Syria. The number of trips rose from 189,862 in 2024 to 276,962 in 2025, representing growth of approximately 46 percent.

RO‑RO Transport Gains Strategic Importance

Finally, Aras reported that a total of 268,376 RO‑RO transport operations were conducted in 2025, with 202,048 of these taking place on Western RO‑RO routes. He emphasized that RO‑RO routes have become a strategic infrastructure component, easing congestion at border crossings and ensuring the continuity of exports.

Source: Kargo Haber