37,108 industry professionals gathered to explore new business opportunities

The 26th Intermob Fair, organized by RX Tüyap in cooperation with the Turkish Furniture Accessories Industrialists Association (MAKSDER) along with the support of the Turkish Ministry of Trade, took place between September 12-15, 2024 at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul.

The show attracted a total of 37.108 industry professionals as visitors, 7.261 of whom were from abroad.

Positioned as an international business platform, Intermob hosted 550+ companies and company representatives that had new export opportunities and business connections, where they showcased their latest inspiring designs and innovative products to the visitors.

Turkish wood market face different challenges in the last year. Among them were the increase of labor cost with 28%, increase of the energy cost with 25%, and VAT from 18% to 20%, while the interest rate is now around 50%, giving hard times to companies to access capital.

Fordaq agent Cristi Avram in dialogue with Mustafa Alsancak

Turkish wood market is well represented mainly by his furniture export which reached 5.3 billion in 2023, while the furniture domestic market is estimated at 7 billion. Out of this the accessories represents around 2 billion. Another sector which is well represented is the wood panels one (particle board, MDF, HDF). The biggest players are Kastamonu, Yildiz Entegre and Camsan Entegre.

Most of the companies were changing the focus towards the local market such as Fordaq Gold member Mustafa Alsancak, who exhibit its diversified product range starting with veneer, solid wood panels and solid wood table tops as well during this trade show. That shows so far good evolution as the demand form Europe or US is very low.

Also, the traditional markets of Turkish companies in Middle East: Iran, Irak, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and other URSS republics shows good demand so far.  

Turkish companies adapt to changing market conditions and local demand

The companies selling solid wood panels mainly targeting Europe are complaining the most because of very slow demand and a very competitive market in term of price.

Turkish companies start putting more focus on North African countries like Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia which are buying continuously good volume of doors, flooring, panels, furniture components and accessories from Turkey.

There were many companies present there which represent Russian companies who opened companies and production facilities in Turkey and sell their products this way as Turkish local products.

Chinese companies were present with huge pavilion, selling mainly machinery, tools, foils for panels and chemicals for wood industry.