Turkey Strengthens its Global Leadership in Natural Stone Industry in the USA and the UK
Turkey started the year 2025 with two major trade delegation events aimed at reinforcing its global leadership in the natural stone sector. Turkish natural stone exporters visited the USA from January 27 to February 2, 2025, and carried out sectoral promotional activities in the UK from February 4 to 7, 2025.
Sectoral trade delegations consisting of leading Turkish natural stone firms met with prominent names from the architecture and design world in both the USA and the UK, introducing the quality and extensive product range of Turkish natural stones. With 150 different patterns and 650 color options, Turkish natural stones continue to make a difference in the global market.
Ibrahim Alimoğlu, President of the Aegean Mineral Exporters’ Association, stated that during the USA program, the companies conducted B2B meetings and also visited the TISE Fair. He said, “We achieved strong participation with a total of 30 companies, including our Sectoral Trade Delegation and URGE firms,” and added, “During this major organization, our companies established important business connections through B2B meetings with potential buyers. Moreover, relationships with the NSI (Natural Stone Institute), which is of great importance to our sector, were strengthened, and collaboration opportunities increased. We have taken a significant step towards increasing our export to the USA from $432 million in 2024 to $500 million in 2025. We have invited American importers to the Izmir Marble Fair.”
Conquering the Heart of the UK Architecture and Design World!
Turkey’s trade delegation activities aimed at strengthening its global position in the natural stone sector continued with the UK leg. Ibrahim Alimoğlu, after the successful meetings in the USA, noted that they held important meetings in the UK as well. He said, “We made B2B meetings with leading architectural and design firms in the UK and around the world to strengthen the international position of our sector. These meetings, which present a significant opportunity for innovative projects, inspiring designs, and strong collaborations, will showcase the potential of Turkish natural stone.”
The Turkish delegation, which attended the Surface Design Show held in London, facilitated the meeting of the natural stone sector with international participants. Alimoğlu stated, “Through the informational session during the fair, we gathered detailed information about UK and global construction projects. The meeting led by Nick McKeogh from the New London Architecture (NLA) team was an important starting point for evaluating our sector’s international potential.”
Visits to Famous Showrooms and Monitoring the Pulse of the Sector
Eleven Turkish natural stone companies participating in the UK Sectoral Trade Delegation visited showrooms and design offices of leading sector companies such as Squire and Partners, Domus Showroom, and Solus Showroom. Alimoğlu emphasized the importance of these visits, stating, “We examined new projects and designs on-site. Detailed evaluations were made regarding the latest trends in the natural stone sector, innovative applications, and future projects. These visits allowed us to gauge the pulse of the architecture and design world in the UK and observe the best practices in the sector.”
Alimoğlu concluded by highlighting the significance of the organization, stating, “These events are crucial in strengthening the presence of the Turkish natural stone sector internationally and developing new collaborations. Our participating firms have gained promising opportunities for the future of our sector through the meetings and interactions during the fairs and showroom visits. We will continue our efforts to enhance the international competitiveness of Turkey’s natural stone sector and develop our commercial relationships with both the USA and the UK. We will continue our marketing activities without slowing down to increase our exports in the future.”
