The Aegean Mineral Exporters’ Association (AMEA) shared its 2025 export performance and 2026 targets with the public at a press conference.
AMEA Chairman İbrahim Alimoğlu announced that Türkiye’s mining sector generated USD 6.2 billion in exports in 2025, marking a 3% increase compared to 2024.
“Approximately one-third of this figure around USD 2 billion came from natural stone exports. Our mining sector contributes USD 60 billion in added value to the Turkish economy through the support it provides to other industries. Our association’s exports reached USD 1.38 billion in 2025, representing a 6% increase. The largest contribution came from natural stone, which rose by 9% from USD 704 million to USD 771 million, followed by precious metal ores and feldspar.”
China, the US and Spain top three markets
Alimoğlu noted that, as in the previous year, China, the United States and Spain were the top three export destinations for the association.
“Exports to China increased by 12%, exports to the US increased by 7%, while exports to Spain declined by 3%. In natural stone exports, the US, China and France ranked as the top three markets. Exports to the US increased by 8% from USD 217 million to USD 235 million, exports to China surged by 29% from USD 80 million to USD 103 million, and exports to France increased by 7% from USD 43 million to USD 46 million.”
Lack of investment incentive certificates weighs on the sector
Despite the modest rise in export figures, Alimoğlu highlighted two major obstacles facing the sector.
“Under the ‘Decision on State Aids for Investments,’ the inability to issue Investment Incentive Certificates for mines or production facilities whose headquarters are located in a different province negatively affects our production capacity and employment. In addition, the negative perception of the mining sector weakens investment appetite and social acceptance. Therefore, promoting our sector with accurate information and strengthening its image are of great importance.”
AMEA’s intensive efforts in 2025
Emphasizing that 2025 was a challenging year globally in economic terms, Alimoğlu said AMEA carried out extensive efforts to strengthen the sector.
“We organized successful trade delegations to Las Vegas/Los Angeles, London, Kenya and Mexico. We carried out Türkiye’s national participation at the Xiamen International Stone Fair. We brought our members together at Marble İzmir, one of the world’s leading natural stone fairs, creating opportunities for new business connections. We also hosted major buyers from South Korea, Azerbaijan, India, Saudi Arabia and France.”
Sustainability-focused UR-GE project to continue in 2026
Alimoğlu also underlined sustainability-oriented initiatives.
“We took part with an info stand at the Afyon Block Marble Fair, held for the first time in Afyonkarahisar. We organized the Amorphous Natural Stone Project Design Competition Gala Night at the ancient city of Laodicea in Denizli. In 2025, we launched the Sustainability-Focused UR-GE Project in the Natural Stone Sector. In 2026, we will continue our efforts without slowing down to move our sector further forward, including participating with an info stand at the Surface Design Show in the UK in the coming days.”
Bringing exporters together with Asia-Pacific importers
Alimoğlu noted that preparations are underway at full pace for Türkiye’s national participation at the Xiamen Fair, one of the sector’s most important exhibitions.
“The success of the fair in 2025 has been our greatest source of motivation. With the increasingly international nature of the Xiamen Fair, we aim to bring our exporters together with importers from across the Asia-Pacific region, particularly Australia, Singapore and Vietnam. We are continuing preparations for trade delegations to Brazil, Romania, Serbia, Australia and Kazakhstan. In 2026, we will organize the Amorphous Natural Stone Project and Design Competition for the sixth time.”
Exports rise from USD 1.08 billion to USD 1.38 billion
Alimoğlu recalled that 2026 will be an election year for exporters’ associations.
“Under Law No. 5910 on the Turkish Exporters Assembly and Exporters’ Associations, the term of office for the chairman is limited to two terms or eight years. I was elected Chairman of the Aegean Mineral Exporters’ Association in 2022 with the support of our members. During our term, we experienced a challenging period marked by the lingering effects of the pandemic, the implementation of disinflation policies in Türkiye, exchange rate increases lagging behind inflation, and difficulties in maintaining competitiveness. Despite these challenges, we succeeded in increasing exports from USD 1.08 billion in 2021 to USD 1.38 billion.”
Targeting exports above USD 2 billion by 2030
Announcing his candidacy for another term as Chairman of AMEA for the next four years, Alimoğlu concluded:
“If our members once again entrust us with this honorable duty, we will continue to work with full dedication to resolve the problems of our sector. We aim to increase our exports to USD 1.5 billion in 2026 and to exceed USD 2 billion by 2030, when we hand over the position. In 2026, we will continue our efforts at full speed to promote our sector with accurate information and strengthen its image. We will also intensify our dialogue with all stakeholders and public authorities at every opportunity and on every platform to ensure that legal regulations are revised in a way that supports the development of our sector.”
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