The General Assembly of the Southeastern Anatolia Carpet Exporters Association has re-elected Zeynal Abidin Kaplan as Chairman, reaffirming leadership continuity at a critical time for Türkiye’s carpet industry.
The election took place during the association’s ordinary general assembly meeting, held at the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters’ Unions headquarters, where Kaplan was unanimously reappointed.
Turkish Carpet Industry Maintains Strong Global Reach
Despite global economic challenges, Türkiye’s carpet sector continues to demonstrate resilience. In 2025, the country exported carpets to 144 countries, underlining its strong international presence.
According to official figures:
- Türkiye’s total carpet exports reached $2.83 billion in 2025, marking a slight 1% decline compared to 2024
- GAHİB exports increased by 1%, reaching $1.96 billion
- The association accounted for 69.1% of Türkiye’s total carpet exports
Machine-made carpets dominated exports, representing 83.9% of total shipments, followed by tufted carpets at 14.3%, with the remainder consisting of handmade carpets and kilims.
Key Export Markets Show Mixed Trends
The United States remained the largest export market, despite a 5.5% decline, accounting for 27.3% share with exports valued at over $535 million.
Read more: Turkey Carpet Exports Top $2B in 9 Months
Iraq ranked second with strong growth of 16.7%, followed by Saudi Arabia with an 11.3% increase, reflecting continued demand from regional markets.
Gaziantep Remains the Heart of Global Carpet Trade
Speaking at the assembly, Chairman Kaplan emphasized the strategic importance of the carpet industry for both Türkiye and the city of Gaziantep.
He described Gaziantep as the “heart of global carpet trade,” highlighting the sector’s contribution to production, employment, and exports.
However, he also acknowledged ongoing challenges, including rising raw material costs and global market instability driven by geopolitical tensions.
Industry Faces Global Pressures but Remains Optimistic
Kaplan noted that while input costs have increased significantly, manufacturers have struggled to reflect these increases in export prices, putting pressure on margins.
Despite these challenges, he expressed confidence in the sector’s long-term outlook, emphasizing the importance of unity and strategic coordination among industry stakeholders.
“The challenges we face today are temporary, and we believe the future will be stronger. By acting together and maintaining our competitive strength, we can overcome these difficulties,” he stated.
Focus on Innovation and Future Growth
Looking ahead, Kaplan outlined key priorities for the new term, including:
- Digital transformation
- Sustainable production practices
- Expansion into new export markets
- Design-driven growth strategies
He stressed that continued collaboration within the industry will be essential to maintaining Türkiye’s global competitiveness in the carpet sector.
Leadership Continuity Signals Stability
The unanimous re-election reflects strong industry support and signals stability at a time when global market conditions remain uncertain.
As Türkiye continues to position itself as a leading exporter of machine-made carpets, the role of GAHİB will remain central in navigating challenges and unlocking new growth opportunities.
