Turkish companies to join kitchenware fair in Frankfurt

ISTANBUL

Turkey's kitchenware sector eyes increasing its exports to Germany by 20% as it participates in one of the largest kitchenware exhibitions in Europe this week.

As many as 193 manufacturers will represent the country at the Ambiente Frankfurt 2020, which is scheduled to begin on Friday, according to a statement by Turkish Houseware Association on Wednesday.

Turkey's total kitchenware exports in 2019 were around $5 billion, with $400 million to Germany alone. The country posted a trade surplus of $3.75 billion in the sector last year.

The association said its target was to take the country's houseware exports to up to $6 billion this year.

It said that amid the coronavirus outbreak in China, which has claimed almost 500 lives so far, Beijing will lose its marketshare, and hence, Ankara could benefit.

Mesut Oksuz, the head of the association, said: "We have been participating in the fair for the last 15 years [with the aim] of increasing our exports."

He added that increasing exports to Germany, which imports kitchenware products worth $15 billion annually, was important for Turkey.

The fair, Oksuz said, could also prove beneficial in selling goods to other European countries.

A total of 132 of 193 Turkish companies taking part in the display are members of the association.