Tight monetary policies, geopolitical risks, high inflation, and financial conditions dampening investment appetite continued globally, significantly suppressing machinery trade worldwide in the first nine months of 2025. This challenging scenario was also felt in the Turkish woodworking machinery sector. However, despite shrinking demand and declines in some markets, the sector maintained its export focus and continued to strengthen its presence in foreign markets.

The Turkish woodworking machinery sector managed to maintain market diversity, reach new countries, and continue its tradition of generating a foreign trade surplus despite the slowdown in both production and exports during this period when global machinery trade has been severely curtailed.

Although the decline in exports and weakening investment appetite in the domestic market during the first 9 months of the year posed challenges for the sector, Turkish machinery manufacturers responded to this situation with agility, adaptability, and a disciplined focus on foreign markets. Active across a broad geography stretching from Europe to the Middle East and from the Balkans to North Africa, the sector maintained its position in international competition despite the global slowdown.

Exports of $1 million or more to 36 different countries

The sector, which largely succeeded in limiting commercial losses, recorded $76.8 million in imports and $103.4 million in exports in the first nine months. During the same period, the ratio of exports to imports was recorded at 135%. The Turkish woodworking machinery sector, which exported over $1 million to 36 different countries, recorded a foreign trade surplus of $26.5 million.

Spain solidified its position in 9 months

Although Türkiye's woodworking machinery sector saw a decline in exports in the first 9 months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, the sector managed to limit losses thanks to its broad geographical reach.
The Russian Federation remained the largest export market with a volume of $5.7 million, while Spain consolidated its strong position in the first half of the year to take second place with $4.6 million in the first nine months. Countries that stood out in the first six months of the year, such as Iraq, Kosovo, and Poland, continued their steady growth throughout the year. Exports to Syria maintained their strong momentum from the first six months, reaching $4.21 million by the end of the nine-month period. This increase demonstrated the continued revival of trade relations in the region.

China maintained its leadership

In the first nine months of 2025, the import volume increased by 9.6 percent compared to last year, rising to $76.8 million. China remained Türkiye's largest import partner with a volume of $33.4 million. Germany and Italy remained Türkiye's top European countries for machinery imports, as they were in the first half of the year. Imports from Germany amounted to $17 million, while imports from Italy reached $16.2 million. China, Germany, and Italy retained their position as Türkiye's top three countries for woodworking machinery imports in the ninth month.