Furniture Exports Rose 106%

Furniture Exports Rise 106% Over Last Five Years

The Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association shared data on furniture exports. According to the data, furniture exports rose 106% over the last five years. Furniture exports increased 106% over the last five years, reaching USD 229 million. Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association Chairman Ali Fuat Gürle stated that Turkey's furniture exports reached USD 4.2 billion in 2021 with a 24% increase.

Furniture Exports Climb to USD 1.619 Billion in January-April 2022

Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association Chairman Ali Fuat Gürle made comments on furniture exports. Noting that Turkey's furniture exports increased 73% during the five-year period from 2016 to 2021, Gürle stated: "In the January-April period of 2022, Turkey's furniture exports reached USD 1.619 billion. Today, design is on the agenda in many sectors, including furniture. In 2023, with our Ur-Ge projects and investments in design, we will reach USD 6 billion in furniture exports. With the participation of 31 companies, we are continuing the Aegean Furniture URGE Project, supported by the Ministry of Commerce, to help our companies cluster and develop their competencies. Through our URGE Project, our companies receive training for both improving their corporate structures and the personal development of personnel and company owners. At the same time, as the pandemic period gradually fades, we aim to increase our market share by organizing trade delegations to our target markets in the coming period."

"We Have Taken on a Bridge Role Between Academia, Designers and the Sector"

Commenting on the Ezber Bozan Design Competition, Gürle said: "Our Ezber Bozan Design Competition, which will accelerate our value-added export journey, was met with great interest in its first year in 2021. We will hold the second edition this year with the theme of 'Smart Furniture'. We believe the record-breaking number of applications will multiply this year. We have new awards and we have increased our total cash prizes. At the same time, we will facilitate internships and job placements for competition winners. We have taken on a bridge role between academia, designers and the sector to make significant contributions to value-added product exports in our industry."

"We Are a Sector Generating Approximately USD 3.5 Billion in Trade Surplus"

Noting that the Aegean Region has more opportunities in terms of value addition, Gürle stated that the unit price of furniture exports from Turkey in 2021 was USD 2.74, while the Aegean's export unit price was USD 3.23. Gürle said: "We are a sector generating approximately USD 3.5 billion in trade surplus. This picture clearly demonstrates the value added that our sector provides to the foreign trade balance. Our association's furniture exports were USD 110 million in 2016 and reached USD 229 million in 2021. Over the five-year period, our furniture export growth rate rose to 106%. Looking at the first four months of 2022, furniture exports from our association reached USD 86 million." Stating that the weight of furniture production is oriented toward the domestic market, Gürle said: "We have companies working in both domestic and foreign markets. If the domestic market is strong, the foreign market will be strong. Due to recent inflation and declining purchasing power, it is essential to increase the number of installments."

Germany Leads in Furniture Exports

The Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association exported furniture to 150 countries and regions in 2021, with 50% of its exports going to European countries. Germany ranks first in furniture exports with USD 23 million, up 43%. Germany is followed by the Netherlands with USD 20 million, up 33%, Israel with USD 19 million, up 72%, France with USD 12 million, up 50%, and the United States with USD 12 million, up 99%.