Four-point support demand from shoe industrialists to exit the crisis
Despite the contraction in Turkey's footwear sector due to falling exports and rising imports, industrialists expect steps to increase competitiveness.
While Turkey's footwear sector continues to contract due to high production costs and loss of global competitiveness, sector representatives requested new support steps to halt the decline in production and exports.
Decline in Production and Exports
Berke İçten, President of the Turkish Footwear Industrialists Association (TASD), stated that shoe exports dropped from 377 million pairs in 2022 to 187 million pairs in 2025. Export revenues also fell from $1.3 billion to $1 billion in the same period.
Import Increase and Current Account Deficit Picture
İçten noted that shoe imports increased from 43 million pairs to 76 million pairs during the same period, and the foreign currency paid for imports rose from $960 million to $1.7 billion. The sector shifted from a foreign trade surplus of $550 million to running a current account deficit of $700 million.
Major Drop in Employment
It was stated that employment in the sector declined from the level of 350,000 to 200,000 as a result of economic difficulties and contraction. Sector representatives demand that urgent measures be taken to halt this decline.
Four-Point Proposal for the Sector
To help the sector regain its competitiveness, it is requested that import taxes on raw materials and sub-industry be zeroed, and that the employment support of 3,500 liras be increased to 6,000 liras. Additionally, it is demanded that the foreign exchange conversion support be raised to 10 percent and that there be an effective fight against unregistered production.
Fashion Fair Held in Istanbul
The AYMOD International Footwear Fashion Fair, organized by TASD, is being held in Istanbul between October 7-10. The fair continues to be a meeting point for the sector.