TÜRKBESD Press Release_31 July 2026
TÜRKBESD announced the results for the first half of 2026:
Contraction Continues in the White Goods Sector
In the first half of 2026, domestic sales in six main product groups declined by 7% compared to the same period last year, while the contraction in exports that has continued in recent years reached 19%. While the weak outlook in exports was also reflected in production, production and total sales decreased by 15% compared to the same period last year; total sales amounted to 13,026,952 units. TÜRKBESD President Alper Şengül emphasized the importance of steps that will strengthen competitiveness in overseas markets.
The Turkish White Goods Manufacturers Association (TÜRKBESD) shared its evaluations regarding the sector’s results for the first half of 2026. According to TÜRKBESD data, which includes domestic and international companies operating in production or import activities in Turkey such as Arçelik, BSH, Dyson, Electrolux, Haier Europe, Midea Group Turkey, Miele, Samsung, Versuni (Philips), and Vestel, domestic sales in six main product groups declined by 7% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year. While the downward trend observed in exports in recent years continued, exports decreased by 19% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period of the previous year. The decline in exports was also reflected in production volumes, with production decreasing by 15% compared to the same period last year. Total sales also fell by 15%, reaching 13,026,952 units. Specifically for June, domestic sales decreased by 15% and exports by 11% compared to the same month last year, while production remained at the same level. Total sales declined by 12%, recorded at 2,033,470 units.
Turkey ranks as Europe’s leading and the world’s second-largest white goods production center with a 7% production volume share. As of 2025, the white goods sector, with an annual production capacity of 29 million units, provides direct employment to 60,000 people and indirect employment to 600,000 people. The sector, which exported 20.2 million units in 2025, continues its investments in R&D, digital transformation, and green transformation to increase its competitiveness in global markets.
Evaluating the results, TÜRKBESD President Alper Şengül said, “Our sector has long emphasized that among the main reasons for the contraction in exports in global markets are the weakening of our competitiveness and the additional costs and burdens created by foreign trade policies. At this point, we see that the decline in exports continues.”
Şengül stated that the continuation of losses in export markets is decisive not only for the sector’s current performance but also for future investments, employment, and production capacity. Referring to the strong export capacity and market position built over many years through joint efforts of the public and private sectors in established markets such as Europe, Şengül said, “For the sustainability of the sector, steps that will strengthen competitiveness, support exports, and balance production costs are of great importance.”
Anti-Dumping Measures Challenge the Sector in Terms of Costs and Exports
Evaluating the outcome of anti-dumping investigations on flat steel products, one of the main inputs of the white goods sector, resulting in high taxes, TÜRKBESD Vice Chairman Mehmet Yavuz said, “The fact that anti-dumping investigations on flat steel products, one of the sector’s main inputs, result in high taxes directly and negatively affects the cost structure of manufacturers. Every additional increase in production costs affects our export competitiveness.” Stating that they clearly see the effects of this situation in sector data, Yavuz said, “Although the weakening of global demand and uncertainties in export markets also play a role in the contraction in production and exports, it is clear that the additional costs imposed on basic inputs constitute one of the main pressure factors on our sector’s competitiveness. In order for Turkey to achieve its value-added production and export targets, our industry needs a predictable and sustainable cost structure that will preserve its international competitiveness.”
Cost Items Not Present in Competing Countries Limit Growth Capacity
Drawing attention to cost factors that directly affect the sector’s international competitiveness, TÜRKBESD Vice Chairman Fatih Özkadı stated that the Recycling Contribution Fee (GEKAP) creates an additional cost that the main international competitors of white goods manufacturers do not face and directly puts pressure on production, investment, and exports. Özkadı said, “The GEKAP unit amounts implemented in 2020 have now increased approximately 15 to 17 times. During the same period, the increase in producer and consumer prices was around 7 times. Therefore, the increase in GEKAP amounts is far above inflation.” He stated that the annual cost of GEKAP on the sector has reached approximately 3 billion TL and that the total GEKAP amount collected from the sector between 2020 and 2025 is around 250 million dollars. Considering the urgency of the production and export losses experienced by the sector in recent years, Özkadı said that temporarily removing the GEKAP obligation or reducing unit amounts by at least 50% is of great importance for maintaining the sector’s competitiveness.
Özkadı also emphasized that the calculation method of GEKAP should be reconsidered according to the characteristics of white goods products, stating, “Unlike many products within the scope, white goods products have high weight and long service life. Therefore, calculating GEKAP solely based on product weight does not sufficiently reflect the environmental impact and actual recycling cost of the products and creates a disproportionate cost on the sector. There is a need for a more fair and balanced calculation system that takes into account the structural characteristics of products and is differentiated on a product basis.”
Brand Websites Should Be Preferred for Authorized Services
Stating that the white goods sector forms a huge ecosystem with its production, sales, and after-sales services, TÜRKBESD Board Member Semir Kuseyri said that more than 3,500 authorized services operating across Turkey constitute an important part of this ecosystem. Kuseyri said, “Our services, which respond to all the needs of our consumers after purchase, reach thousands of homes every day. However, unfortunately, we witness that some malicious individuals victimize our consumers by using this title even though they are not authorized services. We recommend that our consumers, when they need any technical support and/or repair, use the official websites of brands or the address service.gov.tr of our Ministry of Trade instead of search engines to access our service services and reach authorized services. This method is critically important for our consumers to receive safe and accurate service.”