Planning to import and manufacture products in Turkey? In this guide, we explain what international buyers must know about product availability, sourcing methods, and the criteria we use to determine if Turkish suppliers are qualified or not.
Further, we also look into how manufacturing prices compare to China, and why some buyers struggle to find suppliers.
Supplier Overview
Need help finding suppliers for your product?
- We can help you source suppliers in the following areas:
- 1. US & Mexico
- 2. European Union
- 3. Turkey
What kind of products are manufactured in Turkey?
Manufacturers in Turkey produce a variety of consumer products, as well as consumables, materials, building materials, and products for industry. Below you see an overview of a number of product categories where you can find manufacturers in Turkey:
- Clothing
- Sportswear
- Seamless wear
- Home textiles
- Children’s clothing
- Jewellery
- Accessories
- Bags
- Injection moulds
- Building materials
- Food packaging
- Product packaging
Supplier directories
There is no equivalent to Alibaba in Turkey. That being said, there are hundreds of Turkish suppliers on Alibaba itself. Then there’s also Europages, and a local version called TurkishExporters.
That being said, many suppliers in Turkey don’t have a strong online presence and are therefore harder to find online.
Trade shows
Perhaps the best way to find and meet suppliers in Turkey is to visit a trade show. Below is an overview of trade shows held annually in Turkey:
- JUNIOSHOW Bursa
- DOMOTEX Turkey
- F ISTANBUL
- Idef
- Çorlu AgroTech
- Aegean TMF
- Istanbul Hardware Fair
- Bursa Textile Show
- CNR Packaging Istanbul
- IMEX
Chambers of Commerce
Chambers of Commerce of various countries are present, primarily in Istanbul. These groups consist of individual members and corporate members. Many of these might be manufacturers themselves, or have factory contacts in their networks to which you can be introduced.
Here is an overview of various Chambers of Commerce that you could reach out to:
- AmCham Turkey
- The British Chamber of Commerce in Turkey
- Delegation of German Industry and Commerce Turkey
- Swedish Chamber of Commerce
- Dutch Business Association Turkey
- Austrian Chamber in Turkey
- Canadian Turkish Business Council
Sourcing companies
Sourcing companies often have their own established supplier networks, and the ability to identify qualified manufacturers outside the network.
However, it is important that the sourcing companies operate transparently. They need to clarify how they manage product compliance, quality assurance, and whether they will reveal which factory is manufacturing your product. Without this, they operate as a middleman or trader rather than an actual sourcing company.
It is also important to clarify early on how the sourcing company or agent is to be compensated. Some charge fixed service fees, while others charge a commission based on the order value. However, some are paid by the supplier, creating incentives not to choose the best possible manufacturer – but the one that pays the sourcing company the most.
Selecting a qualified supplier in Turkey
In practice, we use the same criteria to assess manufacturers in Turkey as we use for sourcing in China and Vietnam. Here’s a summary:
- Product scope
- Test reports
- ISO 9001
- ISO 14001
- BSCI and Sedex
It’s essential the manufacturers is specialised in the relevant product category and materials. Further, it’s a good sign if they can provide pre-existing test reports, such as those based on REACH or OEKO Tex Standard 100.
Social compliance audit reports from BSCI or Sedex are also important in certain industries.
FAQ
Are product prices lower in Turkey compared to China?
Products made in Turkey are generally more expensive than in China. However, the Turkish lira has lost significant value in recent years, which may not have been good for the country as a whole – but at the same time has made goods manufactured in Turkey cheaper for importers in other countries.
Shipping costs are also lower, at least for buyers based in the EU and the UK.
Product costs and freight rates are not the only factors that matter, though. The fact that you can get a product manufactured and delivered in 3 to 5 weeks, rather than 2 to 3 months, is incredibly valuable for many businesses. Some are willing to pay a higher unit price for this reason.
Are there any disadvantages to manufacturing in Turkey?
The main disadvantage, at least compared to China, is that fewer products are available. The case is that China remains the only realistic option for a wide range of products, such as OEM electronics or moulded plastic items. Generally speaking, the more manual assembly required to make a product – the less likely you are at finding a supplier in Turkey.
Are quality inspections necessary when manufacturing in Turkey?
You cannot return defective or damaged products to a factory in Turkey unless they are willing to do so voluntarily. Hence, pre-shipment quality inspections are absolutely essential when importing anything from Turkey.
If you are based in the EU or the UK, you can easily fly to the factory yourself. That being said, there are plenty of quality inspection forms with staff based in Turkey that can do it for you.
Is lab testing necessary when manufacturing in Turkey?
Yes, you are responsible for ensuring compliance from any country, including Turkey. That being said, Turkish manufacturers tend to be somewhat informed when it comes to EU product regulations such as REACH.
