TÜRKBESD Releases First-Half 2026 Data: Contraction Continues in White Goods Sector
The Turkish White Goods Manufacturers' Association (TÜRKBESD) has announced sector data for the first half of 2026. According to the data, domestic sales in 6 main product groups fell by 7% in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year, while the ongoing decline in exports reached 19%. As the weak export outlook was also reflected in production figures, both production and total sales fell by 15%.
Turkey's White Goods Manufacturers Association (TÜRKBESD) released sector data for the first half of 2026. According to the figures, domestic sales in six main product groups declined 7 percent compared to the same period last year, while declining exports reached 19 percent. The weak export performance was reflected in production figures, with production and total sales falling 15 percent.
According to TÜRKBESD data, total sales in the first six months of 2026 amounted to 13,026,952 units. In June specifically, domestic sales declined 15 percent year-on-year while exports fell 11 percent, with no significant change in production levels. Total sales in June fell 12 percent to 2,033,470 units.
"Steps to strengthen competitiveness are of great importance"
Evaluating the results, TÜRKBESD Chairman Alper Şengül stated that the white goods sector needs regulations to increase its competitive strength in global markets.
Şengül said, "Our sector has long been highlighting that among the main reasons for export contraction in global markets are the weakening of our competitive strength and the additional costs and burdens created by foreign trade policies. At this point, we see that the decline in exports continues."
Emphasizing that the sector holds a strong position in major export markets, particularly Europe, Şengül stated that steps to balance production costs, support exports and increase competitiveness are important for sustainable growth.
TÜRKBESD noted that Turkey, with an annual production capacity of 29 million units, is Europe's largest and the world's second largest white goods manufacturing hub, and that the sector provides direct employment to 60,000 people and indirect employment to 600,000.
Anti-dumping measures increase cost pressure
TÜRKBESD Board Vice Chairman Mehmet Yavuz said that high tariffs resulting from anti-dumping investigations on flat steel products are negatively affecting the sector's cost structure.
Yavuz assessed, "Every additional increase in production costs directly impacts our export competitiveness. In addition to weak global demand and uncertainty in export markets, additional costs on key inputs are increasing pressure on our sector."
Yavuz stated that Turkey needs a predictable and sustainable cost structure to achieve its high value-added production and export targets, and emphasized that the sector's international competitive strength must be protected.
Call for regulation of GEKAP obligation
TÜRKBESD Board Vice Chairman Fatih Özkadı noted that the Extended Producer Responsibility fee (GEKAP) has become an important cost factor for white goods manufacturers.
Özkadı stated that GEKAP amounts have increased approximately 15 to 17 fold since 2020, and that this increase has exceeded inflation levels.
Özkadı noted that the sector's annual GEKAP cost has reached approximately TRY 3 billion, saying "Taking into account the sector's production and export losses, the temporary removal of the GEKAP obligation or reduction of unit amounts is of great importance in protecting our competitive strength."
Özkadı also emphasized that the GEKAP calculation method needs to be re-evaluated taking into account the structural characteristics of products, calling for a more fair and balanced system.
Consumer warning on authorized service providers
TÜRKBESD Board Member Semir Kuseyri drew attention to the importance of after-sales services in the white goods sector and issued warnings to consumers about using authorized service providers.
Noting that more than 3,500 authorized service providers operating throughout Turkey are an important part of the sector ecosystem, Kuseyri stated that consumers with technical support needs should reach authorized service providers through brand official websites or the Ministry of Commerce's servis.gov.tr platform rather than search engines.
TÜRKBESD announced that it will continue its efforts in the coming period for sustainable sector growth, preservation of export capacity and increase in global competitive strength.
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