The Turkish natural stone sector, which remained in the 10% tariff bracket following the new customs duty decision by United States President Donald Trump, believes it will strengthen its position in the US market compared to its European and Far Eastern rivals.
Following US President Donald Trump's new tariff decision, Turkey's natural stone sector, which remains in the 10% tariff bracket, believes it will strengthen its position in the US market compared to European and Far Eastern competitors.
Pointing out that there is no additional tax burden on top of the 10% customs duty on natural stone exports from Turkey to the US, Ege Maden Exporters Association Chairman İbrahim Alimoğlu stated that they view favorably the low tariff rate imposed on Turkey, and that they aim for natural stone exports to the US—which stood at USD 432 million in 2024—to exceed USD 500 million in the short term and USD 1 billion in the long term, as the US imports USD 3.5 trillion annually.
Speaking at the Ege Maden Exporters Association's 2024 ordinary general assembly meeting, Alimoğlu said, "According to the US's new tariff policy, European Union countries such as Italy and Spain, which export similar products to Turkey, face an additional 20% tariff. As Turkish natural stone producers and marble merchants, we will continue production, employment and exports as we have done so far, regardless of conditions. There is nothing to be concerned about. In January, we organized a sectoral trade delegation to the US. There is active market interest in Turkish natural stones."
Mining exporters present worldwide
Noting that they brought together buyers from many countries including Germany, Azerbaijan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia within the scope of the 2024 Izmir Marble Fair through Buying Delegations, Alimoğlu continued:
"These types of organizations have made a major contribution to greater international recognition of our sector and increased trade volume. At the 30th Izmir Marble Fair to be held on 9-12 April 2025, we will organize a new Buying Delegation with participants from South Korea, France, Azerbaijan, Canada, Saudi Arabia and India.
In November, we organized a Sectoral Trade Delegation to Dubai, a major Middle East trading hub, parallel to Big 5 Dubai Expo. In January, parallel to the TİSE Fair, we organized a Sectoral Trade Delegation covering Las Vegas and Los Angeles in the US. In February, through the Sectoral Trade Delegation organized within the scope of the Surface Design Show in the UK, we added another successful organization to our record.
In May, we will organize a Sectoral Trade Delegation to Sydney, Australia. As the Ege Maden Exporters Association, we are present everywhere in the world. We are working to offer our members the most important events where they can find new markets or increase their market share.
EGEBİM Will Take Turkish Natural Stones to Digital Platform
Announcing that as the Ege Maden Exporters Association they have launched a platform called EGEBİM aimed at promoting Turkish natural stones in the digital environment, Chairman Alimoğlu stated, "This platform will enable the digital management of natural stones while allowing sector professionals such as designers and architects to easily discover stones they will use in their projects. We invite our members to participate in the EGEBİM Project."
Sustainability—29 companies in URGE Project
Sharing that they have added a new link to International Competitiveness Development (URGE) Projects supported by the Ministry of Commerce, where exporting companies cluster to increase their competitiveness and capabilities, EMİB Chairman İbrahim Alimoğlu also added that 29 companies are participating in the sustainability-focused international marketing URGE project in the natural stone sector in the new period.
Export amount should be USD 2 million to be elected to Board in mining sector
Recalling that with amendments made in November 2022 to the Regulation on the Establishment and Duties of the Turkish Exporters Council and Exporter Associations, the criterion of USD 1 million exports in the last two calendar years to be elected to the Board of Management in industry and mining sectors was increased to USD 5 million, Chairman Alimoğlu stated, "At the Board of Management meeting of the Ege Maden Exporters Association held on 27 March 2025, we discussed this matter and submitted a request to the Mining Sector Council to reduce the export volume lower limit required over the last two calendar years in the mining sector from the USD 5 million applicable to industry and mining sectors to USD 2 million and to include sales with export records in addition to actual exports/DTSŞ-based exports."
At the Ege Maden Exporters Association's financial general assembly meeting, the 2025 work program was approved, and the 2025 budget was set at TRY 64,850,000. The EMİB Board of Management and Supervisory Board were unanimously absolved for their 2024 activities.
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