Orders escaping from Turkey rushed to Europe

Stating that costs remained at their peak despite the fact that the exchange rate remained at a certain level and that the price decline could not be achieved despite the fall in raw material prices, the exporter The shoe industry began to lose its markets to Europe, this time after the Far East. While prices were seen to be up 40 percent in dollar terms compared to the previous year, the sector’s export orders began to shift to India and China, and domestic market orders to Portugal. Emphasizing that production in European countries, where labor and energy costs are high, is 2-3 dollars cheaper than in Turkey, the president of the Turkish Association of Footwear Manufacturers (TASD), Berke İçten, He said: “Currently, Portuguese shoes of the same type and quality are about 2-3 dollars cheaper than our shoes.$ cheaper. We used to be 2-3 dollars cheaper than them, now they are cheaper.

MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ITALY

We have heard in the domestic market that some brands have shifted their orders to Portugal and India as they are cheaper instead of buying Antep shoes in Konya. It is claimed that one of our companies has moved orders of between one million and 1.5 million pairs to Portugal.” Noting that some sub-industry products, such as shoe soles in Italy and Portugal, are 1.5-2 dollars cheaper than in Turkey, İçten said that in the 11 months to 2022, China’s imports increased by 66 %, those of Italy 42% and 54 percent of Vietnam. He explained that in 11 months imports increased by 57 percent in total to 850 million dollars, and they hope to complete exports at the level of 1,200 million dollars. Explaining that Inditeks Group, which bought artificial leather products from Turkey, immediately left Turkey with the price increase, İçten said that they could not receive orders for the new season after March.

We cannot get a price with the exchange rate of 18.5 TL

Berke İçten pointed out that some exporters set an exchange rate of 25 TL for the summer period in order not to lose customers, and continued: price the product accordingly. If we calculate the price of the dollar from 18.5, they say that it is not possible for us to give the customer a price, we cannot find a price. The exporter assumes the risks on his own, just like the forward system does. Just so he can retain and not lose the customer he’s been serving for years.”