Exports to the Turkish market grew strongly in the first half of 2026, opening up massive room for Vietnam's food and beverage sector. However, to effectively exploit this gateway market connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, enterprises must satisfy a series of strict requirements regarding standards, Halal certification, logistics, and payment methods.

The Turkish market is emerging as a potential-rich "promised land" against Vietnamese goods, particularly the food, beverage, and agricultural product group. However, along with export expansion opportunities are technical and trade barriers demanding enterprises to possess thorough preparation if wanting to increase market share at this market.

This was the content discussed by multiple experts and management agency representatives at the Workshop "Opportunities and Challenges in Developing the Turkish Market" organized by the Trade Promotion Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade) on the afternoon of July 21.

Opportunities to expand export markets

Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Ta Manh Cuong, Director of the Trade and Investment Promotion Support Center (Trade Promotion Agency), stated that against a backdrop of volatile global trade, Turkey day by day asserts its role as a gateway connecting three continents Asia - Europe - Africa, creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to expand markets and diversify supply chains.

According to published statistics, total Vietnam - Turkey trade turnover in the first 6 months of 2026 reached 1.39 billion USD, within which Vietnam's exports rose by 32% compared to the same period last year. This is evaluated as a positive signal against a backdrop where multiple traditional export markets still face no small amount of difficulties.

Mr. Ta Manh Cuong stated that Turkey is setting a target to elevate total commodity and service export turnover to over 400 billion USD in 2026. This opens up multiple opportunities for Vietnam's strong commodity items such as agricultural products, processed food, beverages, coffee, cashews, rice, pepper, and spices.

Currently, Vietnam continues to maintain its position as one of the world's leading agricultural and food export nations. Particularly, the coffee, cashew, rice, spice, and pepper group reached a turnover of 950.2 million USD in the first half of 2026, up 12.1% compared to the same period.

Large opportunities but no small barriers

Alongside growth potential, experts consider that Vietnamese enterprises still have to face multiple strict requirements when accessing the Turkish market.

According to Mr. Ta Manh Cuong, regulations regarding phytosanitary inspection, customs procedures, quality standards, and particularly Halal certification for food serving Muslim communities are mandatory conditions enterprises need to satisfy.

Besides, fluctuations in logistics costs, sea freight rates, along with differences in payment methods and business culture are also factors that can impact export efficiency if enterprises do not possess adequate preparation.

To support enterprises, the Trade Promotion Agency is deploying multiple solutions such as supplying market information, organizing direct and online business-matching programs, training to elevate capacity to satisfy international standards, as well as supporting enterprises in market surveys.

Under the 2026 national trade promotion plan, the Trade Promotion Agency will organize a trade delegation in Turkey and Spain from August 25 to September 3, creating conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to directly access partners and seek cooperation opportunities.

At the workshop, Ms. Nguyen Viet Hang, Trade Counselor, Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Turkey, updated consumption trends, import demand, and alterations in trade policies of this market.

Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Cong Hoang, Institute for South Asian, West Asian and African Studies (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences), analyzed the potential of agricultural product, seafood, processed food, and beverage groups, while concurrently suggesting appropriate distribution channels for Vietnamese enterprises.

From a practical perspective, Mr. Doan The Hop, Director of VIETTURK Import-Export, Production and Service Co., Ltd., shared experiences regarding business culture, negotiation, and import-export activities with Turkish partners.

According to the Trade Promotion Agency, the workshop attracted around 150 delegates attending directly and online, serving as a forum for management agencies, experts, and enterprises to jointly exchange solutions to effectively exploit the Turkish market against a backdrop of international trade experiencing multiple alterations.

Source: Tap chi Doanh nghiep va Hoi nhap