Erdogan in Trouble: Turkish Home Appliance Industry Faces Crisis

Turkey's home appliance industry is in crisis: exports fell 19% to 8.3 million units in the first half of 2026, domestic sales dropped 7% to 4.7 million, and production declined 15% to 12.8 million. Causes include rising costs and import duties, including anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese steel. Turkey remains Europe's largest producer and the world's second-largest.

Turkey's home appliance industry, considered a key driver of national economic growth, has hit a deep crisis. According to data published by commentator Eli Leon, exports in this sector plummeted 19% in the first half of 2026, totaling 8.3 million units. Maariv reports this. The Turkish Home Appliance Manufacturers Association notes the downturn also hit the domestic market. Sales across six major product categories fell 7% (to 4.7 million units), and total production dropped 15% to 12.8 million units. Particularly notable declines were recorded in refrigerators and washing machines. Association leaders cite main causes: President Alper Shengel said the industry repeatedly warned about the harmful impact of foreign trade policy and rising costs. Vice-chairman Mehmet Yavuz highlighted anti-dumping duties on steel products. The combined tax burden on imports of cold-rolled stainless steel from China reached about 16% (including a new 3.95% tax and a previous 12% duty), critically raising production costs. Despite the crisis, Turkey retains its position as the largest production hub in Europe and the second-largest globally (accounting for 7% of world production). The industry has capacity for 29 million units annually and directly employs about 60,000 people, plus another 600,000 jobs in related sectors. However, experts warn that weak global demand and high raw material costs continue to seriously undermine Turkish manufacturers' international competitiveness.