Turkish exports to Saudi Arabia fell sharply in January, reaching a record low as the informal boycott of Turkish goods continues to weigh heavily on bilateral trade despite diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Ankara and Riyadh.
According to data from the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), exports to the kingdom dropped 92.5% year-on-year in January, declining from nearly $221.9 million to just $16.6 million.
Trade Tensions Rooted in Political Disputes
Strains between the two regional powers intensified following the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The incident, widely blamed by the international community on Saudi authorities, significantly deepened diplomatic rifts.
Additional disagreements over regional issues—including Saudi Arabia’s rapprochement with Israel, its support for political developments in Egypt, and opposing positions on Libya and Syria—have further complicated relations.
In October last year, the head of Saudi Arabia’s Chambers of Commerce publicly called for a boycott of Turkish goods. Turkish industry representatives later reported increasing pressure on Saudi businesses not to purchase products labeled “Made in Turkey.”
Semi-Official Embargo and Official Suspension
After months of what exporters described as a semi-official embargo, Turkish authorities confirmed in late November that certain Turkish goods had been formally suspended from import into Saudi Arabia.
The Trade Ministry informed exporters that imports of some Turkish products had been officially halted earlier that month, formalizing restrictions that had already been affecting trade flows.
Read more: Turkish exports to Egypt break record in Jan.-Aug.
Despite a phone call between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and King Salman in November aimed at maintaining dialogue and resolving disputes, trade figures indicate that commercial ties remain under strain.
In 2019, Turkish exports to Saudi Arabia totaled $3.1 billion. Although trade volumes in 2020 did not initially show dramatic declines—partly due to pandemic-related disruptions—January’s figures signal a significant deterioration in export performance.
The sharp contraction highlights the vulnerability of bilateral trade to political tensions, particularly in sectors heavily reliant on Gulf markets.
