Huseyin Taklaci, Chairman of the Turkish Woodworking Federation (TAIF), said, “The furniture industry in Turkiye is aimed to grow by an average of 10% annually until 2030 and the economic size to reach $29 billion.”
Huseyin Taklaci, Chairman of the Turkish Woodworking Federation (TAIF), made an evaluation to the AA correspondent about the point and goals of the furniture and woodworking industry in the 100th year of the Republic.
Reminding that the first furniture in history was found in Catalhoyuk as seating groups made of stone, Taklaci said that the adventure, which started in Anatolia, the cradle of civilization, before Christ, has become a major industry in the last 100 years.
Explaining that in the early periods of the Republic, chests, lecterns, couches and sofas were produced intensively, especially in provinces such as Istanbul, Kahramanmaras and Eskisehir, Taklaci said that later on, items such as chairs, dining tables and showcases, which came to the country from the west, began to appear in homes.
Pointing out that with the increase in demand, the need for domestic production arose, Taklaci said, “With the establishment of the Siteler Industrial Site in the capital in the 1960s, mechanization developed and the design and production of new models began. The Turkish furniture industry adventure, which extends to the present day, is today in a position to compete with the world furniture giants.”
Taklaci pointed out that the number of medium and large-scale enterprises, as well as small-scale enterprises, has increased in the furniture sector, especially in the last 15-20 years, and stated that there are more than 38 thousand companies in the sector, employing approximately 380 thousand people.
“Turkiye exceeds borders in furniture exports”
Taklaci stated that the export of wood and forest products, which was $379 million in 2000 and was limited to a few countries, increased to $2.9 billion in 2010. “Our exports of wood and forest products, which reached $7.3 billion in 2023, have shown great growth in 23 years, although they have moved downwards from time to time.”
Taklaci reported that this year the most exports were made to Iraq, Germany, France, Romania, Israel, Libya, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, respectively.
Explaining that the furniture industry turned the Covid-19 epidemic into an advantage, Taklaci stated that countries such as the USA, Australia, Poland and Portugal were also added to the export list.
Stating that the global furniture industry is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 8.2% until 2026 and its economic size to reach $940 billion, Taklaci emphasized that Turkiye aims to grow at an average annual rate of 10% by 2030 and the economic size to reach $29 billion.
“Handcraftsmanship stands out in furniture exports”
Taklaci said that the localization rate, which is 88% in the furniture and wood products sector, could reach 99% if the production of lighting, electronics, metal and plastic hardware and chemicals is accelerated.
Explaining that the average export per kilogram of furniture in Turkiye is $2.74, Taklaci pointed out that in provinces such as Ankara and Adana, where hand craftsmanship is intense, or in project decoration works, the amount per kilogram goes up to $10. Underlining that it is possible to increase these amounts even further by producing value-added products, Taklaci also stated that the logistics location of the country is a great chance for companies in terms of export success.
Stating that he has great confidence in Turkish furniture manufacturers, which are in the top 10 in the world in exports, Taklaci added that if the necessary opportunities and supports are provided, the sector can be among the top 3 in the world in the next 10 years, first in handcrafted furniture production and then in all types of furniture production.
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz