Türkiye-Syria trade is experiencing a significant boost as Syria enters a reconstruction phase following a political shift since late last year, driving increased demand for goods from Türkiye, especially food, daily necessities and construction materials.
At the same time, investors from other countries are also starting to eye the Syrian market, seeking to seize opportunities in the post-conflict recovery. However, Syria remains in a transitional period, with both business opportunities and risks coexisting.
As trade ramps up, long lines of trucks can be seen just three kilometers away from the Turkish-Syrian border, where at least 1,000 vehicles are currently waiting to cross. Many drivers, like Mohammed, have spent several days in the queue, facing delays due to customs issues and incomplete documentation.
"I've been here for four days. The buffer zone at the border crossing is packed with trucks. Some can't clear customs due to tariff problems, while others lack the necessary paperwork," said Mohammed.
Every day, approximately 350 to 400 trucks pass through the Cilvegozu Border Gate into Syria, delivering essential supplies. However, the ongoing transitional period in Syria poses challenges, including fluctuating policies and an uncertain security situation, which complicate customs efficiency.
In Hatay province, a large import-export company focused on food and daily goods reports that 80 percent of its exports go to Syria. During the conflict, business was concentrated around Idlib, but operations are now expanding to major cities like Damascus, Aleppo and Homs.
"We anticipate that the market will grow tenfold because Aleppo is a trade hub in the region. In the global economic and trade landscape, logistics is a crucial factor. Given the fact that Hatay Province is very close to Syria, a tenfold growth in trade is only a conservative estimate. In the future, we plan not only to buy and sell goods but also to invest locally," said Mohammed Baranak, head of a Turkish food and consumer goods import-export company.
The surge in Turkish exports to Syria began in December following the political shift in Syria, with a 20 percent month-on-month increase followed by a further 38 percent rise in January, according to the Turkish Exporters Assembly. The fastest-growing sectors include food, electronics, cement, glass, ceramics, furniture and textiles.
"Syria has suffered severe destruction from war, and future reconstruction will drive multiple industries, particularly offering the greatest opportunities for the infrastructure sector. This is especially significant to Türkiye, particularly to Hatay Province in the southern region. Our goal is to restore the trade routes that existed before 2010, which involve traversing Syria to access the Middle Eastern market," said Hikmet Çinçin, president of the Antakya Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Recently, Türkiye and Syria have been working to lower tariffs and revive free trade agreements to stimulate commerce. However, analysts caution that the Syrian market remains fraught with uncertainty due to years of war that have led to an economic collapse, severe currency depreciation, and difficulties in trade settlements. For businesses, every investment feels like a gamble in a storm, with an uncertain future ahead.
Türkiye-Syria trade surges amid post-conflict reconstruction opportunities
