Turkish Carpet Industry Targets $500 Million in Carpet Exports to the United Kingdom
Over the past four years, Türkiye’s carpet industry has increased its exports to the United Kingdom by 68%, rising from $129 million to $217 million. Having surpassed Belgium in carpet exports to the UK, Türkiye has now moved up to second place after the Netherlands. Turkish carpet exporters aim to overtake the Netherlands and become the UK’s largest carpet supplier.
As part of the “Carpet P&D Project” implemented by the Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association (ETHIB) with the support of Türkiye’s Ministry of Trade, representatives from eight carpet-exporting companies — a total of nine participants —visited London between 22–25 September 2025 under the scope of the project.
Providing information about the UK’s long-established carpet industry, Jak Eskinazi, Coordinator Chair of the Aegean Exporters’ Associations and Chair of the Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association, noted that the United Kingdom is a target market for exporters participating in the Carpet P&D Project. He stated that, following a needs analysis, they decided to organize a delegation visit to the UK to strengthen trade ties in this market.
Targeting $500 Million in Carpet Exports to the UK
Sharing details about the itinerary, Eskinazi stated that the UK P&D delegation would first visit the “Flooring Show Fair” in Harrogate. “We aim to develop sustainable and long-term trade partnerships in the UK carpet market,” Eskinazi said. “Within the scope of the program, through B2B meetings to be held in the following days, our companies will conduct price research related to the carpet industry and obtain detailed information about quality standards and logistics processes (transportation, freight, etc.), taking concrete steps to increase their exports.
Between January and August 2025, our carpet exports to the UK rose by 14%, from $120 million to $137 million. In 2024, the UK imported $1.068 billion worth of carpets, and Türkiye accounted for 20% of this total. Our goal is to increase our carpet exports to the UK to $500 million in the medium term and surpass the Netherlands to become the leading supplier country.”
On the final day of their UK program, Turkish carpet exporters will conduct company, association, institutional, and market research activities.
The Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association carried out its first international marketing activity within the Carpet P&D Project in the United Arab Emirates between 21–24 April 2025.
Companies Participating in the Delegation:
- Gülseven Halı A.Ş. – Ahmet Gülseven (CEO)
- Gayret Yün İplik Halı San. Tic. Ltd. Şti. – Mustafa Bakım (Company Representative)
- Elifnur Halı A.Ş. – Elif Kabak Ergel (Owner)
- Serko Halı ve İplik San. Tic. Ltd. Şti. – Ziya Arslan (Company Manager)
- Tavus Yün Halı ve İplik San. ve Tic. A.Ş. – Halit Tavus (Factory Manager)
- Hendesî Yapı Ltd. Şti. – Behçet Özkul & Mustafa Akarsu (Partners)
- Karakuşlar Tasarım Halı Tekstil San. ve Tic. A.Ş. – Hulusi Karakuş (Company Representative)
- Akarsu Halı San. Tic. Ltd. Şti. – İbrahim Akarsu (General Manager)
