Turkish home goods exports are expected to reach $6 billion.

 According to the leader of the largest industry association, Turkey's houseware sector, which ended last year with total exports of $4.5 billion under pandemic conditions, aims to achieve the $5.5 billion to $6 billion level this year.

Mesut Ksüz, the head of the Turkish Houseware Association (Zucder), said that the industry's exports totaled $3 billion during the first half of this year and claimed that the industry is on track to meet its goals.

According to him, the industry quickly responded to the pandemic, held B2B summits, and focused on online channels to lessen the effects of the outbreak.

He emphasised that the Turkish houseware industry immediately filled the gap after China halted manufacturing as a result of the pandemic conditions that led to supply issues.

He emphasised that the industry is Turkey's fifth-largest net exporter, with an annual export surplus of $3.6 billion and a price per kilogramme of exports of $3.38.

He added that during the previous five years, the UK, Germany, and France were the primary three export markets for Turkey. In 2020, the largest houseware exporters were China, Germany, the U.S., Italy, and the U.K.

He pointed out that the $1.1 billion in houseware exports from these three nations accounted for 25% of all exports.

The U.S., Germany, the U.K., France, Japan, the Netherlands, and Canada were the top importers of household goods globally, but Turkey only accounts for about 3% of such imports, according to him.

"Through trade shows and B2B gatherings, we should raise this proportion. 51% of the exports in our sector go to the EU. By the end of 2021, we want this share to reach 60%."

He added that Africa is a significant market for the industry and that commerce between Turkey and the continent as a whole was $5.4 billion in 2003 and has since grown to $25 billion.

"We organised a B2B event with Kenya, one of our key markets. The need for household items, furniture, and durable products is anticipated to rise as Kenya's middle class grows "Added he.

In Kenya, where Turkish goods enjoy a positive reputation, the Turkish houseware industry seeks to strengthen its position.

By taking advantage of Kenyan consumers' perceptions of Turkish products as high-quality, he continued, "We aim to improve our sales there."

2021 Zuchex

Speaking on the $1 billion in sales that were generated by the International Zuchex Home and Kitchenware Fair (Zuchex), which was held in Istanbul last month, ksüz remarked

Businesspeople lack face-to-face interaction and product analysis after a protracted period of operating under stringent epidemic conditions, he claimed.

He said that compared to pre-pandemic occasions, the event was 30% more crowded.