Turkey carpet exports fall 2.1% in first four months of 2026

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Turkey's carpet exports declined in the first four months of 2026, according to data from the Union of Turkish Carpet Exporters. The country exported $871.7 million worth of carpets and rugs between January and April, a 2.1 percent drop compared with the same period last year. Union official Aleksander Kaplan said wars and regional tensions have disrupted trade movements and supply chains. He noted that Middle Eastern markets remain key destinations for Turkish carpet producers, with Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain among the countries affected by recent instability in the region. Iraq has long been one of the largest buyers of Turkish carpets, alongside markets in the Gulf and Europe. Kaplan said the cumulative effect of regional conflicts has weighed on order volumes and logistics. The sector has set a target of reaching $3.5 billion in exports by the end of the year.