The Turkish woodworking machinery sector recorded exports of $87.7 million in the first nine months of 2026, while imports totaled $79.2 million. The sector posted a foreign trade surplus of approximately $8.5 million. Bulgaria emerged as the leading export destination, while China accounted for more than half of total imports.
According to January–September 2026 data compiled by AİMSAD Intelligence from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), the woodworking machinery sector maintained a positive foreign trade balance. During the first nine months of the year, sector exports reached $87.7 million, while imports stood at $79.2 million. As a result, the sector generated a trade surplus of approximately $8.5 million. The export-to-import coverage ratio was calculated at 110.8%.
Bulgaria ranked first among the sector’s export destinations during the first nine months of the year. Exports to Bulgaria reached $5.11 million, followed by Spain with $5.08 million and Russia with $4.60 million. Syria ranked fourth with $4.45 million, while Poland took fifth place with $4.12 million. Kosovo, the United States, Egypt, Iraq and Romania were also among the top 10 export markets.
The narrow margin between Bulgaria and Spain was particularly noteworthy, with the two countries occupying the top positions with nearly identical export values. While Russia ranked third, Syria and Poland also stood out as important export destinations. European countries continued to play a significant role in the sector’s exports, while sales to nearby markets such as Syria, Kosovo, Egypt and Iraq demonstrated the industry’s continued presence across different regions.
Top Three Import Sources Remain Unchanged
On the import side, market concentration was considerably more pronounced. Woodworking machinery imports from China reached $41.73 million in the first nine months of 2026, accounting for approximately 52.7% of total imports. China was followed by Italy with $17.93 million and Germany with $13.72 million. Together, these three countries accounted for approximately 92.7% of the sector’s total imports.
Taiwan and Austria were followed by Poland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Hungary and Slovenia among the top 10 supplier countries.
The figures indicate that the sector maintains a relatively diversified export market structure, while imports remain heavily concentrated in China, Italy and Germany. China’s share of more than 50% highlights the significant concentration of import sources. Meanwhile, the fact that exports continued to exceed imports points to the sector’s sustained positive foreign trade balance.
