Italy → Turkey
Turkey Market Entry for Italian Companies
Multiligo helps Italian companies find buyers, distributors and partners in Turkey: we pre-qualify Turkish counterparts, set up and attend B2B meetings with interpretation, and report every month. Turkey imported USD 15.7 billion of goods from Italy in 2025, and more than 1,500 Italian companies operate in the country (Turkish MFA).
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How big is trade between Italy and Turkey?
Turkey imported USD 15.7 billion of goods from Italy in 2025, and more than 1,500 Italian companies operate in the country (Turkish MFA).
| Indicator | Figure and source |
|---|---|
| Turkey’s imports from Italy (2025) | USD 15.73 billion (Turkish MFA) |
| Bilateral trade volume (2025) | USD 29 billion (Turkish MFA) |
| Italian companies operating in Turkey | More than 1,500 (Turkish MFA) |
| Trade framework | EU–Turkey Customs Union for industrial goods (European Commission) |
Why do Italian companies look at Turkey?
Italian companies look at Turkey for its domestic market, its industrial base and its position between several regions, and for partners who already know those markets.
- Main Turkish imports from Italy include motor vehicle parts and accessories, petroleum oils, and yachts and other vessels, so Italian suppliers are already established in several Turkish value chains.
- Italian direct investment in Turkey was almost USD 5.1 billion over 2002–2024, with Italian firms active in transportation, banking, telecommunications, construction, electronics and pharmaceuticals (Turkish MFA).
- Turkey sits between Europe, the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia, with a large domestic market and a broad manufacturing base.
As an EU member state, Italy trades with Turkey under the EU–Turkey Customs Union for industrial goods; agricultural products are treated differently. Check product-specific rules with the Turkish Ministry of Trade or the Italian Trade Agency (ITA).
Which sectors do we explore with Italian companies?
For Italian companies we most often look for Turkish counterparts in these sectors; fit always depends on the product and its positioning.
Machinery & industrial equipment
Dealers and integrators for Italian machinery, automation and components.
Food & beverage
Importers, distributors, HoReCa suppliers and retail buyers for Italian food and wine.
Construction & building technology
Building materials, interiors and systems for distributors, contractors and developers.
Franchise & master license
Master franchisees for food service, fashion and retail concepts.
What should Italian companies know about working with Turkish partners?
Italy is 2 hours behind Turkey in winter and 1 hour behind in summer (Turkey uses UTC+3 all year), so working hours overlap well.
- Italian machinery and component suppliers are usually asked about technical service in Turkey; a dealer with its own service team is often the deciding factor.
- For food and wine, Turkish importers handle registration and labelling, so they expect product documentation early in the conversation.
- English works for most meetings with internationally active Turkish companies; we coordinate Turkish interpretation where needed.
Our process (brief, target list, pre-qualification, meetings, debrief, monthly report) is described on the Turkey market entry page.
How does Multiligo work alongside the Italian Trade Agency (ITA)?
the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) provides market information and programmes for Italian companies; Multiligo adds company-level execution in Turkey: finding, qualifying and meeting specific Turkish companies.
The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) has an office in Istanbul that assists Italian and Turkish companies. Multiligo complements that support at company level: we find specific Turkish counterparts, contact them, and manage meetings and follow-up.
Organisations that support Italian companies abroad can work with us through the Partner Program.
Frequently asked questions
Can Multiligo help Italian companies find a distributor in Turkey?
Yes. We identify and pre-qualify Turkish distributors, importers and partners for Italian companies, set up the meetings, attend them with interpretation and report every month.
Do Italian products need extra certification for Turkey?
Industrial goods traded under the Customs Union generally follow aligned technical rules, but food, agricultural and some regulated products have their own requirements. Check your product with the Turkish Ministry of Trade or a specialist from our partner network.
How do Italian machinery makers usually structure distribution in Turkey?
Most work with a dealer or distributor that can sell, install and service the equipment, sometimes with regional sub-dealers. We look for partners with technical staff and coverage in the industrial regions relevant to your product.
Official sources
Enter Turkey
Tell us about your product and the partners you are looking for. We will reply by email.