Turkey’s carpet industry faces mounting logistics crisis with export containers piling up and shipping rates increasing fivefold
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is placing growing pressure on Turkey’s carpet industry, with manufacturers in Gaziantep reporting severe export disruptions, soaring freight costs, and thousands of square meters of finished carpets waiting in factory warehouses due to shipping delays.
Gaziantep, recognized as the world’s largest machine-made carpet manufacturing hub and responsible for approximately 60% of global machine-made carpet production, is now facing one of its most significant logistics challenges in recent years.
Export Containers Accumulate at Carpet Factories
According to İskender Kaplan, Chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) Carpet Sector Board, export shipments destined for key Gulf markets—including Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia—have been significantly affected by disruptions in regional logistics corridors.
“As a result of shipment problems, an average of up to 50 export containers are currently waiting at our factories,” Kaplan said.
The delays have left manufacturers unable to deliver finished products despite maintaining production capacity, creating additional storage costs and cash flow challenges across the sector.
Freight Rates Climb from $2,000 to Nearly $10,000
Beyond shipment delays, exporters are also struggling with sharply rising transportation costs.
Kaplan revealed that container freight prices, which previously averaged around US$2,000, have surged to nearly US$10,000, dramatically increasing export costs for Turkish carpet manufacturers.
He called for urgent logistical support, warning that the industry’s competitiveness is being undermined by circumstances beyond manufacturers’ control.
Middle East Remains the Largest Export Market
Despite the difficult operating environment, Kaplan noted that maintaining export volumes close to last year’s levels should already be considered a significant achievement.
“The Middle East remains our largest market,” he said, explaining that rising raw material prices and logistical disruptions have combined to create one of the most challenging periods for the industry.
Manufacturers are currently facing simultaneous pressure from:
- Rising raw material costs
- Record-high freight rates
- Shipping delays caused by regional conflict
- Seasonal slowdown in demand
Industry Looks to Recovery After Summer
While acknowledging the short-term challenges, industry leaders remain cautiously optimistic.
Kaplan expects export activity to regain momentum beginning in September, when seasonal demand traditionally improves and market conditions may stabilize.
Despite current disruptions, Turkey’s carpet industry continues to maintain its ambitious US$3.5 billion export target for 2026.
“Our three biggest concerns today are the war, raw material prices and logistics,” Kaplan stated. “No matter how much we produce, if we cannot ship our products, production alone has no value. At this stage, everything depends on how the regional conflict develops.”
Logistics Becoming the Biggest Challenge for the Carpet Industry
The latest developments highlight how geopolitical tensions are increasingly affecting global flooring and carpet supply chains.
For manufacturers in Gaziantep—whose production serves customers across the Middle East, Europe, and other international markets—efficient logistics have become just as critical as manufacturing capacity.
As freight costs remain elevated and regional shipping routes continue to face uncertainty, exporters will be closely monitoring geopolitical developments over the coming months, hoping for improved transport conditions before the peak export season.
Read more:Â Carpet Design Sector in Turkey
Editor’s Insight
Gaziantep has long been regarded as the heart of the global machine-made carpet industry. However, the current logistics bottleneck demonstrates that even the world’s strongest manufacturing clusters remain vulnerable to geopolitical instability.
For buyers across the Middle East and international flooring markets, the coming months may bring longer lead times and higher product prices if freight costs remain elevated. The industry’s ability to achieve its 2026 export targets will depend not only on production capacity but also on the restoration of reliable regional shipping corridors.
