Despite the fluctuating economic environment that continues to exist both in the global and domestic markets, the Turkish woodworking machinery sector, which achieved a certain balance in exports in 2024, will continue its efforts to open up to new markets in 2025 without interruption. Sharing the sector’s 2024 report card and 2025 targets, AIMSAD Board Member and Secretary General Arif Onur Kaçak said: “Turkish woodworking machinery sector maintained its exporter identity in 2024.”

Stating that 2024 was a year in which a certain balance was achieved in exports despite all the negative arguments for the Turkish woodworking machinery sector, AIMSAD Board Member and Secretary General Arif Onur Kaçak said: “Over the past year, our companies carefully determined their pricing policies to remain competitive in both domestic and international markets. By the end of the year, the sector reached an export volume of $150 million, demonstrating its commitment to long-term goals. However, contractions in domestic demand and financial fluctuations forced companies to develop new strategies. According to 2024 data, the sector’s imports amounted to $101 million, production reached $370 million, and domestic sales stood at $322 million. The foreign trade surplus was recorded at $48 million, while the export-to-import coverage ratio was calculated at 148%. The downward trend in imports continued throughout 2024.”

Kaçak continued his remarks: “By the end of 2024, Russia became Türkiye’s largest export market. In addition to countries like the United States and Kosovo, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Egypt, and Poland were also among our key trade partners. On the import side, China, Italy, and Germany took the lead.”

“Turkish companies will make a difference  with innovative solutions”

Emphasizing that the sector’s primary goals for 2025 include expanding export markets, increasing production efficiency, and strengthening R&D investments, Arif Onur Kaçak continued: “We aim to further solidify our position in the international market through steps such as improving financial solutions and strengthening our supply industry. We consistently highlight the importance of trade fairs for our sector. In this context, the LIGNA Fair is one of the most important showcases of the Turkish woodworking machinery sector in the international arena. Over 60 Turkish companies will participate in the fair, which will be held in Germany from May 26 to 30, 2025, occupying a total of 8,000 square meters. With these numbers, Türkiye ranks as the third country with the largest participation. As AİMSAD, we will also participate strongly in the LIGNA Fair with our members, increasing the Turkish woodworking machinery sector’s influence in global markets. We believe that Turkish companies will make a difference with innovative solutions at this fair, which presents a great opportunity to strengthen international collaborations and advance our sector.”

“The WoodTech Fair will continue  to contribute to the development of our sector”

Speaking about the WoodTech Fair, the largest meeting point for the woodworking machinery sector in Eurasia, Arif Onur Kaçak said: “We will organize the WoodTech Fair for the 38th time this year with Tüyap, Türkiye’s most important fair organization company. The WoodTech Fair, held annually at the Istanbul-Tüyap Fair and Congress Center, will take place from October 11 to 15, 2025. We invite everyone to our fair to closely get to know the Turkish woodworking machinery industry and witness the latest developments in the sector.”