Türkiye’s carpet industry recorded strong export performance in the first quarter of 2026, generating $634.42 million in revenue from the export of 126.09 million square meters of carpets, according to official data from the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters’ Associations.
Machine-Made Carpets Dominate Export Growth
The data highlights the continued dominance of machine-made carpets, which accounted for the largest share of exports with $501.79 million. Specially designed tufted carpets followed with $104.71 million, while hand-made carpets contributed $25.83 million and kilims added $2.08 million to the total.
Turkish carpet manufacturers exported their products to 182 countries and free zones during the January–March period, underlining the sector’s strong global reach and diversified market presence.
United States Leads Key Export Markets
By destination, the United States remained the top market for Turkish carpets, with exports reaching $180.94 million. Saudi Arabia ranked second with $89.71 million, followed by the United Kingdom at $47.39 million.
Regionally, the Americas accounted for the largest share of exports at $194.69 million, followed by the Middle East with $165.30 million and European Union countries with $100.34 million.
Read more: Turkish Carpets and the Power of Design: From Mass Production to Global Branding
Despite global economic pressures and geopolitical tensions affecting key markets, the Turkish carpet sector continues to maintain production and export momentum. Zeynal Abidin Kaplan, Chairman of the Southeastern Anatolia Carpet Exporters’ Association, acknowledged ongoing challenges including regional conflicts and customs-related barriers, but emphasized the resilience of the industry.
He noted that exporters are navigating a complex environment shaped by instability in regions such as the Middle East, Russia, Ukraine, and North Africa, yet remain committed to sustaining growth.
Looking ahead, the sector has set an ambitious target of $3.5 billion in total exports by the end of 2026. While uncertainties remain, industry stakeholders continue to focus on expanding market presence and overcoming operational challenges to achieve this goal.
