India’s $2.84 Billion Imports from Turkey at Risk Amid Rising Boycott Movement
India’s growing ‘Boycott Turkey’ campaign has started impacting trade and travel, as public sentiment turns sharply against Turkish imports.
- The movement, driven by nationalist backlash over Turkey and Azerbaijan’s support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, has led to an abrupt halt in trade for certain Turkish goods and a steep decline in tourism.
- Two major commodities under immediate threat are Turkish apples and marble, both of which hold a significant share in India’s import basket.
India-Turkey Trade Snapshot: A Surplus at Risk
India maintains a trade surplus with Turkey, exporting more than it imports.
- Between April 2024 and February 2025, India exported goods worth $5.2 billion to Turkey, compared to $6.65 billion in FY24.
- Imports from Turkey for the same period stood at $2.84 billion, down from $3.78 billion, making up 0.5% of India’s total imports.
- India’s key exports include mineral fuels, auto parts, and pharmaceuticals, while imports from Turkey consist largely of mineral oil, gold, marble, apples, and chemicals.
Traders Reject Turkish Apples Amid Public Pressure
Turkish apples, once popular in Indian markets, are now seeing a sharp decline in demand.
- In 2023, India imported $92.8 million worth of apples from Turkey, nearly 25% of total apple and pear imports.
- Pune-based traders have ceased purchasing Turkish apples, turning instead to suppliers in Himachal, Uttarakhand, and Iran.
- Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis supported the decision, stating, “Nation first should be our stand.”
The fruit market in Maharashtra, especially Pune, is expected to suffer a seasonal turnover loss of ₹1,000–1,200 crore, as per Business Today.
Marble Imports Under Fire from Domestic Industry
India also heavily relies on Turkish marble, importing 14–18 lakh tonnes annually, valued at ₹2,500–₹3,000 crore.
- The Udaipur Marble Processors Association, representing 125 firms, has called for an immediate import ban, citing national security.
- Kapil Surana, the association president, wrote to PM Modi asserting, “Business cannot be bigger than the nation.”
Turkey supplies 70% of India’s marble imports, and a boycott could significantly shift trade towards Vietnam, Oman, or local suppliers.
Tourism Sector Faces Major Hit Amid Travel Boycott
The impact of the boycott extends to India-Turkey travel ties, with Indian tourists contributing $291.6 million to Turkey’s $61.1 billion tourism revenue in 2024.
- With over 300,000 Indian visitors annually, the travel ban has already led to a 60% drop in bookings and a 250% spike in cancellations.
- Major platforms like EaseMyTrip, MakeMyTrip, and ClearMyTrip have advised against non-essential travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan.
- EaseMyTrip explicitly cited Turkey’s support to Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack as the trigger behind its stance.
Strategic and Emotional Backdrop: Political Tensions Rise
The boycott is fueled by Turkey’s increasing diplomatic warmth toward Pakistan.
- Turkey’s President called Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif his “precious brother”, reaffirming bilateral ties even amid Indian public outrage.
- Meanwhile, online campaigns and influencers have been mobilizing support for Indian products and domestic alternatives across sectors.
Ironically, despite current tensions, India extended humanitarian aid to Turkey during the February 2023 earthquakes under ‘Operation Dost’.
- Over 250 personnel, six C-17 aircraft, and critical supplies were dispatched, showcasing India’s commitment to disaster relief diplomacy.
Looking Ahead: Unofficial, Yet Impactful
While no formal trade or diplomatic restrictions have been announced, the boycott momentum on social media is rapidly reshaping business and consumer sentiment.
- Several trade bodies, including CAIT, are calling for wider economic disengagement with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
- Public mood appears resolute, echoing a broader ‘Nation First’ movement that’s redefining India’s foreign trade dynamics in real-time.
As tensions escalate, Turkish businesses in India — particularly in infrastructure and engineering — could also come under scrutiny, adding further complexity to bilateral commercial ties.
