Sakarya’s exports to Gulf countries dropped by 70%

 Akgün Altuğ, Chairman of the Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that exports from Sakarya in March 2026 amounted to $338 million, marking a 15.1% decrease compared to the same month of the previous year.

Akgün Altuğ, President of Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Chairman Altuğ thanked the entire business community that continues to work, produce, and strive to compete globally despite competitive pressures and geopolitical tensions, noting that rising tensions have dealt a blow to trade.

Emphasizing that today’s export model requires much more than simply producing, marketing, and selling, Altuğ said:

“Increasing tensions are hitting global trade the hardest. Functioning systems, as well as planned production and shipment processes, can be completely disrupted within a single day; we are currently witnessing this in the tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. The decline in our exports to Gulf countries has reached around 70 percent, and our business community, which sources raw materials from this region, is seeking new solutions. Under these challenging conditions, we need to further strengthen our competitive position. Rapid support mechanisms must be implemented for our business community, which is facing serious difficulties due to rising oil and raw material prices following the outbreak of conflict. Despite the tensions occurring in our immediate vicinity, our country is seen as a safe hub for production and trade with strong infrastructure. In this process, support is essential to ensure that we do not lose our competitiveness.”