Aegean Leather Exporters Focus on High-Income Markets

Aegean Leather and Leather Products Exporters Association (EDMİB) achieved USD 73.8 million in exports during the first half of 2026, placing high-value production and focus on markets with strong purchasing power among its priorities for the new period.

The association called for facilitating access to financing for sustainable export growth, increasing foreign exchange return support, and reducing the cost burden on imported inputs.

European Union remains the largest market
EDMİB Chairman Halil Gündoğdu noted that approximately 65 percent of leather and leather products exports from the Aegean Region are directed to European Union countries, and that Turkey performs above average in terms of export value per kilogram.

Pointing out that export value per kilogram in the footwear sector has reached USD 24.77, Gündoğdu said this figure is approximately twice Turkey's average. He emphasized that leather and fur apparel production achieves significantly higher added value.

New target: high-income markets
Stating that they will focus on trade delegations, purchasing delegations and international trade fair organizations in the new period, Gündoğdu said they aim to increase market diversification in exports.

In this context, the United States, Canada, Scandinavian countries, Poland, Romania, South Africa and Australia will be among the sector's priority target markets.

"Foreign exchange return support should be raised to 10 percent"
Emphasizing that financial support needs to be strengthened to maintain the sector's competitive strength, Gündoğdu said current foreign exchange return support is insufficient.

"As the leather sector, we are currently producing and exporting at nearly cost. If foreign exchange return support is increased to at least 10 percent, our exporters can breathe again and strengthen their competitive position." he said.

Customs burden on imported inputs should be reduced
Noting that Turkey has the potential to be an important supply center for global brands thanks to its geographical advantage, flexible production structure and high-value manufacturing capability, Gündoğdu said production costs negatively affect the sector's competitiveness.

Stating that customs tariffs on raw materials not produced in Turkey and inputs used in the shoe component industry need to be reviewed, Gündoğdu stressed that reducing the tax burden on products such as soles, heels, buckles and specialty chemicals would increase exporters' international competitiveness.

High-value production and new market strategy take center stage
Halil Gündoğdu noted that the transformation occurring in global supply chains offers significant opportunities for Turkey's leather sector, and that structural problems increasing production costs need to be resolved to capitalize on these opportunities.

Gündoğdu stated: "With high-value production, our strong design capabilities and our strategy to enter new markets, we aim to further increase the Aegean leather sector's global competitive strength."