Turkey's footwear industry has developed at a rapid pace due to modern manufacturing processes, the availability of major quality raw materials, skilled workers and high design capacity. Today the Turkish footwear industry has a strong position among exporters of high quality fashion goods. Another sign of positive development is the increase in foreign investments in the sector.
Turkeys shoe production reached 200 million pairs in 2004. Almost 26 % of the production consists of leather shoes. In addition, there has been a rapid increase in the manufacture of plastic shoes and slippers. The footwear sector relies on Turkish made shoe production machinery as well as shoe parts. The share of the shoe parts industry in the total shoe industry production is around 5 % and production is very diversified. The soles, heels, casting molds and the welt of the shoes are exported. The shoe parts industry is located in İzmir and the Aegean region, Konya, Gaziantep and in particular İstanbul.
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Exports
Today the Turkish footwear sector has the capacity of creating its own brands and fashion. The performance of the sector largely depends on exports. The Turkish shoe sector had an export value of 316.6 millions of dollars in the year 2007. At present, the Russian Federation, Romania, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, England, Greece, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Iraq, and Israel are major markets for the Turkish shoe sector.
Shoes made with leather coated outer surface make up 53 % of shoe exports and had a value of 167 million dollars in 2007. Russia is currently the most important market of Turkish leather shoes. The second important group consists of rubber or plastic materials coated outer soles and surface with an export value of 58 million dollars in 2007.
Turkish shoe industry has one sectoral foreign trade company named ASD Footwear. ASD with 57 shareholders who are small and medium size manufactures operating in footwear industry is the largest shoe exporter of Turkey.
ASD Footwear Company plans to open shoe retail stores all around the world. Under this concept, the company opened two fashion stores in the Czech Republic/Prague and Poland. Now it is planning to open new retail stores in other countries.
All these indicate that Turkish shoe manufacturing companies are in search of new markets and especially export possibilities to the West European countries.
The Turkish footwear sector takes part in important international fairs and exhibitions abroad. GSD Shoe FairDsseldorf/ Germany, Motexha Spring FairDubai/ U.A.E., Mosshoes Moscow/Russia and LineapellaItaly are the most attended ones.
As an important footwear producer/exporter country, many fairs are held in Turkey in the sector every year. Major fairs in the Turkish footwear industry in 2008 are as follows:
GAPShoes, 6th Footwear, Saddlery and Footwear Industry Suppliers Fair, GAZiANTEP in 24.01.200827.01.2008
23. İzmir Shoes, Bags and Accessories Fair, İZMİR in 24.01.200827.01.2008
15. Shoes Fashion Fair, ANKARA in 07.02.200810.02.2008
Konya 21. Shoes, Side Industry and Fashion Fair ( summer), KONYA in 28.02.200802.03.2008
International Shoe Fashion Fair, İSTANBUL in 17.04.200820.04.2008
24. İzmir Shoes, Bags and Accessories Fair, İZMİR in 03.07.200806.07.2008
16. Shoe Fashion Fair, ANKARA in 10.07.200813.07.2008
Konya 21. Shoe, Side Industry and Fashion Fair ( winter ), KONYA in 28.02.200802.03.2008
İstanbul Shoe Side Industry Fair II, İSTANBUL in 18.09.200820.09.2008
İstanbul Shoe Fair II, İSTANBUL in 20.11.200822.11.2008
Major Sectoral Magazines: Ayaks (www.ayaks.com) Turkish Shoes (www.turkishshoes.com).
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Footwear Exports of Turkey by Countries (Dollars)
Source: Undersecretariat for Foreign Trade |
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