Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exports on the Rise

The furniture, paper and forest products sector increased its exports by 25.7% in 2021, achieving USD 7 billion in exports. Of this figure, USD 2.35 billion was generated by the paper and cardboard products sector. The sector increased its exports by 24% compared to the previous year. Istanbul Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association Vice Chairman Alican Duran noted that Turkey's paper sector strengthened its existing export markets in 2021. Duran said: "In 2021, Turkish paper manufacturers signed off on numerous new factory investments both in Turkey and abroad. Through these investments, our industrialists succeeded in entering many new markets in 2021. We will increase our export strength in 2022 with continuing investments." The furniture, paper and forest products sector, which generated USD 7 billion in total exports in 2021, increased its exports by 25.7% compared to the same period of the previous year. The paper and cardboard products sector's contribution to this export figure was USD 2.35 billion. In December, the sector increased its exports by 41% compared to the previous year, achieving USD 241 million in exports. For the paper and cardboard products sector, the United Kingdom was the most important foreign market in 2021 with USD 255 million, while exports to France saw a 95% increase. The top five countries for exports were the United Kingdom, Iraq, Israel, Iran and the United States, respectively.

40% growth in paper and cardboard packaging sector

Paper and cardboard packaging exports, which experienced growth exceeding 40% compared to the previous year, reached USD 832 million in 2021. Corrugated packaging sector exports increased by 37%, reaching USD 405 million. Non-corrugated cardboard packaging exports amounted to USD 181 million. Evaluating the export figures, Istanbul Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association Vice Chairman Alican Duran stated: "Like Turkey's export success in 2021, we as a sector have achieved quite successful export figures. In 2021, Turkish paper manufacturers signed off on numerous new factory investments both in Turkey and abroad, opening up their production capacity to the world. In 2021, Turkey's paper sector strengthened its existing markets. Through the investments made, our industrialists succeeded in entering many new markets in 2021. As a sector, we had an export target of USD 2 billion for the end of 2021. With the steps we took as a sector, we exceeded our USD 2 billion export target. Meeting and even exceeding targets in such a year, when the pandemic, supply chain problems, and raw material crises presented significant challenges to our sector and global trade, is an extremely encouraging development for our sector. We are also quite optimistic about 2022. Despite the difficulties experienced in raw material procurement, we expect double-digit export growth in 2022 compared to 2021 through domestic and international investment initiatives that we believe will continue in 2022," he said. Source