With the acceleration of digitalization, e-export is no longer a complementary factor in businesses’ access to global markets, but is emerging as a strategic growth model. In this context, Fehmi Darbay, Chairman of the Board of Electronic Commerce Association (ELİDER), whom we consulted, said, “As of 2024, the global e-export volume has reached approximately $6.5 trillion. This volume is projected to reach the 10 trillion dollar range by 2028. Türkiye’s e-export volume, meanwhile, reached approximately 8.5 billion dollars in 2024.”
In today’s world, where global trade is being reshaped around digitalization, e-export has become a strategic element that transforms competitiveness for the Turkish economy, going beyond being merely an alternative sales channel. Thanks to developing digital infrastructures, cross-border e-commerce platforms, and logistics solutions, both SMEs and large-scale producers now have more direct access to global markets. Companies are meeting global customers through digital storefronts, generating foreign currency-based revenue, and positioning their brands on an international scale. In this context, we discussed Türkiye’s e-export potential, global trends, the dynamics of sector digitalization, and ELİDER’s contributions to this transformation process with Fehmi Darbay, Chairman of the Board of Electronic Commerce Association (ELİDER), which stands out for its holistic approach to the e-export ecosystem.
Digitalization is rapidly transforming the traditional boundaries of foreign trade. In this context, how would you define e-export?
E-export is actually the most practical, fastest, and most democratic form of foreign trade today. In the past, when we talked about export, we talked about going to trade shows, finding distributors, and allocating significant marketing budgets. Today, with the right product, the right logistics, and the right digital strategy, everyone from SMEs to startups can sell to any country in the world at the click of a button. I see e-export as “the art of bringing the product to the world’s doorstep.” We can call it a trade model that removes borders. It is more profitable for the producer and more accessible for the consumer. Most importantly, e-export is the new generation export engine that increases Türkiye’s global competitiveness.
“Our machine manufacturers are getting on the radar of buyers through global digital platforms”
- Why should companies consider e-exporting? What needs does this model address?
Today, three issues are of vital importance for companies: finding new customers, earning foreign currency, and reducing operational costs. E-export is the direct solution to all three of these issues. Companies can open up their products to countries with high demand around the world, build a stronger financial structure with foreign currency revenues against exchange rate risk, and reduce operational costs as storage, marketing, and distribution processes become digital. In B2B-focused sectors such as the woodworking machinery industry, e-export takes on a more strategic meaning. Our machinery manufacturers are now entering the radar of buyers not only through domestic trade fairs but also through global digital platforms. Generating demand has become much easier.
- What is the global e-export volume? What is Türkiye’s share of this market?
As of 2024, the global e-export volume has reached approximately $6.5 trillion. This volume is expected to reach $10 trillion by 2028. Türkiye’s e-export volume, on the other hand, reached approximately $8.5 billion in 2024. Türkiye is a country that can easily achieve an e-export volume of $30-40 billion thanks to its production quality, product diversity, and strategic location. The most important task here is to accurately communicate the new generation of e-export support provided by the Ministry of Trade, prepare companies for global markets, and strengthen local technologies. As ELİDER, we play an active role in coordinating this ecosystem.
“We have a very strong position as Türkiye”
- Which countries lead e-export globally, and what strategies are they using to achieve success?
Today, three models stand out globally;
China – Platform Economy
- State-supported giant logistics networks,
- Very strong production capacity,
- Global marketplace dominance (Temu, AliExpress, Shein). They built everything on speed and cost advantage.
USA – Brand & ecosystem power
- Global platforms such as Amazon and Etsy,
- Economies of scale in logistics,
- Branding and consumer confidence.
Europe – Regulation and quality model
- EU product legislation,
- Sustainability,
- Quality-focused exports.
We are in a very strong position between these three models as Türkiye. We produce high-quality goods, we are fast, and we are innovative. When we combine this with the right e-export strategies, we have enormous potential for success.
- Cybersecurity is becoming a critical issue in e-export processes. What risks should companies be particularly prepared for in this area?
If you are engaged in e-export today, you are essentially protecting two things: your data and your customers’ money. Therefore, there are three key risks that companies should pay particular attention to: phishing and social engineering attacks, payment fraud, and platform account hijacking. To counter these, companies should focus on two-step verification, regular password and permission management, reliable payment infrastructures, using up-to-date software, and a strong cybersecurity policy. At ELİDER, we address cybersecurity as a separate committee within the sector and continuously inform companies. This is because the sustainability of e-export is directly linked to data and payment security.
“Hundreds of our companies in Türkiye are achieving significant volumes in e-export”
- Are there any exemplary companies in Türkiye and around the world that have successfully implemented e-export?
Of course there are, and their numbers are growing every year. In Türkiye, hundreds of our companies, particularly in the textile, furniture, cosmetics, and machinery sectors, are achieving significant volumes on platforms such as Amazon, Etsy, Wayfair, Temu, and eBay. We also have highly valued manufacturers in the woodworking machinery sector that regularly export to Europe and the Middle East. Globally, we see examples, particularly in China, where even SMEs are exporting hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of goods each month. The common thread here is this: the right product + logistics + digital marketing + the proper use of government support. The Ministry of Trade’s e-export support for micro and small businesses, which can reach up to 70%, along with overseas marketplace commission support, logistics support, overseas warehouse support, and e-export consortium support, represent a significant opportunity for our companies. As ELİDER, we guide businesses through all these processes and support Türkiye’s goal of becoming a global e-export brand.
“Türkiye’s high reliability perception in the machinery sector is constantly increasing demand”
- Which product groups stand out in e-exports specifically for Türkiye? Which countries are in the highest demand?
The product categories with the highest demand from Türkiye are as follows;
- Textiles & ready-to-wear clothing
- Home & lifestyle products
- Cosmetics
- Personal care
- Jewelry & accessories
- Home textiles
- Electronic accessories
- Small household appliances
On the B2B side, value-added production items such as machinery, furniture, metal processing, plastic molding, and woodworking machinery are seeing significant demand, particularly from the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Türkiye’s high reputation for reliability, especially in the machinery sector, is continuously increasing this demand.
The ranking of the regions where we receive the most orders is as follows;
- USA
- England
- Germany
- Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar)
- European Union countries
- North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Egypt)
- Eastern Europe
