ICI Türkiye Export Markets Climate Index Rises to 52.1 in January

• 09.02.2026
• News

The Istanbul Chamber of Industry Türkiye Export Markets Climate Index rose to 52.1 in January and remained above the 50.0 no-change mark for the twenty-fifth consecutive month. The latest reading signalled a modest improvement in the demand climate in export markets, and one that was slightly stronger than at the end of 2025. Helping to support the overall improvement in the export markets climate were signs of strengthening demand in key European destinations. 

The UK saw output increase at the fastest pace in almost a year-and-a-half in January, while growth in Germany also quickened. Business activity in the US increased solidly again in January, with the pace of expansion quickening slightly from that seen at the end of 2025. The UAE posted a sharp and accelerated rise in non-oil business activity, and one that was the fastest of all monitored economies during the month. Marked increases in output were also seen in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, while Egypt posted a modest rise in activity. Mexico recorded the most marked reduction in output in January. Manufacturing production was down for the nineteenth month running.

The Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ICI) Türkiye Export Markets Climate Index, which measures the business conditions in the key export markets of the Turkish manufacturing sector, released the results of the index for January 2026. The index figures above the 50.0 no-change mark signals an improvement in the export climate, while the figures below signals a deterioration. The Istanbul Chamber of Industry Türkiye Manufacturing Export Markets Climate Index posted 52.1 in January, up from 51.6 in December and above the 50.0 no-change mark for the twenty-fifth consecutive month. The latest reading signalled a modest improvement in the demand climate in export markets, and one that was slightly stronger than at the end of 2025. Helping to support the overall improvement in the export markets climate were signs of strengthening demand in key European destinations. 

The UK sees output increase at the fastest pace in a year-and-a-half

The UK saw output increase at the fastest pace in almost a year-and-a-half in January, while growth in Germany also quickened. Combined, these economies account for around 15% of Turkish manufacturing exports. Elsewhere in Europe, business activity increased in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Greece. On the other hand, demand continued to weaken in France, Romania and Poland. Business activity in the US increased solidly again in January, with the pace of expansion quickening slightly from that seen at the end of 2025.

The UAE sees the sharpest rise in business activity 

The Middle East also remained a source of growing demand conditions at the start of 2026. The UAE posted a sharp and accelerated rise in non-oil business activity, and one that was the fastest of all monitored economies during the month. Marked increases in output were also seen in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, while Egypt posted a modest rise in activity. Elsewhere in the region, output in Lebanon was unchanged and Qatar registered a modest fall. Taken together, these six economies account for around 7% of Turkish manufacturing exports. While the UAE saw the sharpest rise in business activity in January, Mexico recorded the most marked reduction in output during the month. Manufacturing production was down for the nineteenth month running.

Commenting on the Istanbul Chamber of Industry Türkiye Manufacturing Export Markets Climate Index, Andrew Harker, Economics Director, S&P Global Market Intelligence, said:

“With a majority of economies seeing a positive start to 2026, we will hopefully see this translate into export opportunities for Turkish manufacturers in the months ahead. In particular, the largest four export destinations for Turkish firms all posted increasing business activity in January, a pattern which will hopefully continue as the year progresses.”

You can find attached the Istanbul Chamber of Industry Türkiye Manufacturing Export Markets Climate Index January 2026 reports.