TÜRKBESD Press Release_29 July 2025

TÜRKBESD Announces 2025 First Half Results:
Domestic Sales Decline Following Export Slowdown

According to TÜRKBESD data, domestic sales in six main product categories fell by 8% compared to the same period last year, while exports decreased by 5%. Total sales dropped by 6% and production contracted by 8%. TÜRKBESD President Gökhan Sığın emphasized that, in addition to the ongoing downward trend in exports, the decline in domestic sales has also become more pronounced. He stressed that the sector now needs policies and practices to strengthen competitiveness more than ever in order to cope with current challenges.

The White Goods Manufacturers Association of Turkey (TÜRKBESD), which includes domestic, international, importing, and manufacturing companies such as Arçelik, BSH, Dyson, Electrolux, Haier Europe, LG, Miele, Samsung, Versuni (Philips), and Vestel, shared its assessment of the sector’s performance in the first half of 2025. In the first six months, domestic sales in six main product categories declined by 8% year-on-year, exports decreased by 5%, total sales fell by 6%, and production shrank by 8%.

With a 7% share of global production, Turkey ranks as the largest white goods manufacturing hub in Europe and the second largest in the world. The industry, with an annual production of 32 million units and export capacity of 22.5 million units, provides direct employment to 60,000 people and indirect employment to 600,000. Highlighting the sector’s competitiveness through R&D, digital transformation, and green transformation investments, TÜRKBESD President Gökhan Sığın shared his evaluations of the first half of 2025.

Preserving Export Market Gains is a Key Priority
Sığın pointed out that exports have been on a steady decline for the past three years:
“Our aim is to preserve and further strengthen the position our industry has achieved in export markets through tremendous effort. As a sector that exports 70% of its production, our international success has made Turkey the world’s second-largest producer. In light of shrinking export markets and mounting cost pressures, policies and practices that enhance export competitiveness are now more critical than ever to safeguard production capacity, competitiveness, and employment,” he said.

Sığın underlined the importance of maintaining the effectiveness of the Inward Processing Regime (IPR) for export competitiveness, while noting that ongoing trade policy investigations are adversely affecting the industry. “The right steps in this area will directly contribute to the competitiveness of key user and exporting industries in Turkey,” he added.

Encouraging Energy-Efficient Products for National Wealth
Sığın also drew attention to slowing domestic market conditions in 2025, noting the importance of supporting consumer purchasing power and maintaining the vitality of sales channels. He stressed that high credit card commission rates negatively impact sales channels and, indirectly, consumers. On the other hand, reducing the burden of interest on consumers and expanding installment opportunities are key to sustaining domestic demand.

He also highlighted that supporting the production and consumption of energy-efficient products is a vital factor in boosting industrial competitiveness. Beyond helping households save energy, these products also play a critical role in reducing Turkey’s dependence on imported energy and minimizing environmental impacts. “The widespread adoption of energy-efficient products not only increases the nation’s annual energy savings and optimizes resource use but also strengthens production capacity in our sector and acts as a lever for exports. We are confident that all incentives facilitating consumer access to energy-efficient products will contribute to national wealth,” Sığın said.

Supporting Policies Needed to Enhance Export Competitiveness
TÜRKBESD Vice President Fatih Özkadı emphasized that the Climate Law, which entered into force in July, marks a significant step toward Turkey’s 2053 net-zero emissions target. He underlined that the white goods sector contributes to these goals with its highly energy-efficient products:
“As a sector, we are constantly introducing more energy-saving products through evolving technologies and innovation. In line with the new framework of the Climate Law, we will continue to assume responsibility in promoting sustainable production and consumption,” he said.

Özkadı also referred to recent analyses showing that rising input and intermediate goods costs, combined with customs duties, VAT, anti-dumping measures, and higher financial costs, have weakened the industry’s competitiveness. He pointed out that the Recycling Contribution Fee (GEKAP) has imposed an additional burden on companies, especially as domestic sales contract. Disproportionate increases in GEKAP unit fees in recent years have challenged financial sustainability and severely affected cash flows. “We are seeing that Turkey’s cost-based competitive power in export-oriented manufacturing industries has fallen to its lowest levels in recent years, largely due to intermediate goods costs. Therefore, we believe it is essential to avoid trade policy measures that increase production costs and trigger inflationary pressures. As a sector, we expect the prioritization of policies that safeguard public interest while supporting industrial production and export competitiveness,” he added.

Trade Policy Investigations Put Pressure on the White Goods Industry
TÜRKBESD Vice President Mehmet Yavuz noted that various types of flat steel products—key inputs for the white goods industry—account for about 17% of total product costs. He stated that the growing number of trade policy investigations has become increasingly challenging for the industry:
“Anti-dumping investigations that began with hot-rolled flat steel have gradually expanded to include stainless steel, galvanized steel, and coated sheets. These investigations increase input costs and adversely affect our international competitiveness. Additional duties that may result from these investigations, on top of existing customs duties, will further deepen the contraction in exports and domestic sales while fueling inflation due to higher costs. Moreover, certain products with specific technical qualities cannot be supplied domestically and must be imported. For this reason, it is crucial that trade policy measures take into account the structural needs of our industry and are aligned with the overall interests of the national economy,” Yavuz said.

Consumers Advised to Use Official Brand Websites for Authorized Services
The white goods industry, with its extensive ecosystem of production, sales, and after-sales services, is supported by more than 3,500 authorized service centers across Turkey. TÜRKBESD Board Member Semir Kuseyri highlighted a major issue: unauthorized service providers posing as authorized centers, which often leads to financial losses for consumers. He strongly advised consumers to access service providers through official brand websites or the Ministry of Trade’s portal, servis.gov.tr, rather than search engines. According to Kuseyri, these steps are essential for ensuring safe and reliable service.