Hüseyin Taklacı, the President of the Turkish Woodworking Federation (TAİF), stated, “We aim for a 10% growth and an export target of 9 billion dollars in the wood and forestry products sector in 2025.” Taklacı, who is also the Chairman of the Board of the Elmadağ Furniture Industrial Organized Industrial Zone (OSB), shared his thoughts with Anadolu Agency on the furniture sector’s outlook for 2024 and its goals for 2025.

Taklacı mentioned that over the past 15-20 years, the number of medium and large-scale enterprises in the furniture sector has increased, along with small-scale businesses, and that there are over 38,000 firms in the industry, employing approximately 380,000 people.

He pointed out that Turkey’s total exports were approximately 263 billion dollars in 2024, with 14.3% of this coming from wood and forestry products. The wood and forestry products exports, which amounted to 379 million dollars in 2000 and were limited to a few countries, increased to 2.9 billion dollars in 2010, showing significant growth over the last 20 years. Taklacı noted that in 2024, approximately 7.9 billion dollars of wood and forestry products were exported to 216 countries, and that the target for 2025 is a 10% growth and 9 billion dollars in exports.

He also provided information about furniture exports in 2024, saying that the largest exports were to Iraq, the United Kingdom, the United States, Libya, Germany, Morocco, Iran, France, and Romania. He emphasized that countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, where exports increased, signify growth not only in the Middle East but also in European and U.S. markets.

Taklacı noted that the furniture sector grew in line with the country’s general economy and stated, “Due to the decrease in construction activities last year, it was a year of rest and recovery for the furniture sector. In 2024, with the reflection of interest rates on the sector, markets had the opportunity to breathe, and producers focused on different designs in production. This year, with the Central Bank’s interest rate cuts, we expect easier access to credit, the construction sector to recover, and consequently, the demand for furniture to rise. We also anticipate that the wedding loan announcement will further increase demand. Therefore, we believe that the furniture sector will continue to grow in 2025 with new designs and models.”

Taklacı emphasized that the furniture sector is one of the most advantageous sectors in terms of added value and local production rates. He explained that the raw product, which costs around 1 dollar per kilogram, achieves an added value of 3.7 dollars in mass-produced factory items and nearly 10 dollars in handmade products. He also pointed out that the local production rate of final products exceeds 88%, and this could reach 99% with an increase in the production of lighting, electronics, metal, plastic, hardware, and chemicals.

Taklacı noted that the global furniture industry is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 8.2% until 2026, reaching an economic size of 940 billion dollars. In Turkey, the goal is an average annual growth rate of 10% and an economic size of 29 billion dollars by 2030.

He mentioned that the Turkish furniture sector, which ranked 36th in the world 20 years ago, has passed many competitors over the years and has risen to the 8th position in exports. Taklacı concluded by stating, “The Turkish furniture sector stands out globally for its craftsmanship. If the necessary opportunities are provided to our producers, the Turkish furniture sector can enter the top 3 worldwide.”