The seven-year war in Syria has dealt a heavy economic blow to Turkish border provinces, but, as wars often do, it has created its own economy and traders. Since 2013, when rebel groups seized control of border crossings on the Syrian side, Turkish exports have perked up, benefiting also from Turkey's military intervention in northern Syria.

After the eruption of the war, bilateral trade hit its lowest point in 2012, when Turkey's exports plunged to $501 million and its imports from Syria went down to $67 million. In 2010, when the ties still flourished, Turkey's exports had stood at some $1.85 billion, while its imports were worth $663 million. Last year, Turkish exports to Syria reached nearly $1.4 billion, while imports from Syria, which are subject to official permission, amounted to only $71 million. The export average of the past three years — $1.3 billion — points to a notable revival in Turkish sales to Syria, though without a corresponding increase in imports, whose average remains at no more than $70 million.

The main products flowing to Syria are cooking oil, flour and flour products, cement, iron and steel, hygiene and cleaning products, poultry and automobiles. Despite the modest level of trade, Turkey remains Syria's main supplier, and, together with China, accounts for more than a half of Syria's imports. Turkey is also the fourth-biggest buyer of Syrian products, importing mostly cotton, fruits and vegetables, olive oil and cooper and aluminum products.

Representatives of industry and trade chambers in Gaziantep and Kilis, two of the Turkish provinces bordering Syria, told Al-Monitor that the Turkish goods go mostly to regions that came under Turkish control with Operation Euphrates Shield and their environs, including Azaz, al-Bab, Jarablus, Tell Abyad, Manbij and the Aleppo countryside. Turkish goods are often available in Aleppo city as well.