Turkish Leather Industry Sets Sights on Kazakhstan

Turkish Leather Sector Sets Sights on Kazakhstan The Turkish leather sector, which has focused on Kazakhstan over the past two years, increased exports to Kazakhstan in the first half of 2023 by a record 124 percent, from USD 10.6 million to USD 24 million.

Seeking to further strengthen its position in the Kazakhstan market, the Turkish leather sector is preparing to conduct a "Sectoral Trade Delegation" to Kazakhstan between 29 July – 2 August 2023.

Erkan Zandar, Chairman of the Aegean Leather and Leather Products Exporters Association, noted that following a fact-finding mission and market research conducted in Kazakhstan in October 2021, they determined they could achieve a stronger position in the Kazakhstan market and selected Kazakhstan as a target market. Highlighting the historical ties between Turkey and Kazakhstan as a foundation for developing foreign trade between the two countries, Zandar stated, "Turkish export products carry significant brand value in Kazakhstan. Additionally, our strong cultural cooperation is positively reflected in trade between our two countries. In the first half of 2023, total exports from Turkey to Kazakhstan increased by 60 percent, from USD 541 million to USD 864 million, while our leather sector demonstrated even stronger export growth. We want to continue this export growth. For this purpose, we are going to Kazakhstan with 17 companies. We expect around 250 companies to participate from the Kazakhstan side," he said. Zandar noted that during the Kazakhstan program they will first visit fair grounds and wholesale market centers, adding that they will complete the program by conducting bilateral business meetings over two days. In the January – June period of 2023, Turkey increased leather and leather products exports to Kazakhstan by 124 percent, from USD 10.6 million to USD 24 million, with footwear exports claiming the lion's share at USD 16.5 million. The leather apparel sector exported USD 3.2 million to Kazakhstan, while the saddlery sector achieved USD 1.5 million in export performance. The companies participating in the Kazakhstan Sectoral Trade Delegation are: Duru Deri, Guzini Deri Çanta, On-ar Ayakkabı, Şebnem Toddler Ayakkabı, Ulus Ayakkabı, Yağcığlu Ayakkabı, YNR Ayakkabı, Drt Ayakkabı, Nehir Ayakkabı, Pafi Ayakkabı, Yalgı Ayakkabı, Zandar Ayakkabı, Bozkurtsan Deri, Venüs Ayakkabı, İlhanlar Ayakkabı, Özpınarcı Ayakkabı and Ferudun Kundura.