The Turkish mining sector is experiencing robust growth, recording a 19.9% surge in exports during the first half of 2026. According to official data from Turkish export associations, total export value reached $3.43 billion, bringing the sector closer to its ambitious annual target of over $10 billion for 2026.
The detailed figures and key challenges were highlighted during the H1 2026 evaluation meeting by the President of the Aegean Mineral Exporters’ Association (EMİB), İbrahim Alimoğlu, underscoring significant structural shifts within the industry.
1. Analysis of the Natural Stone Industry
Out of the $962 million generated by natural stone exports (marble, granite, travertine):
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Processed Products (60%): The majority consisted of finished, processed marble and travertine with high added value. This reflects Turkey’s strategic initiative to move away from merely exporting raw mineral materials.
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Raw Materials (40%): The remaining portion was primarily absorbed by China and India for domestic processing.
2. Geographical Expansion & New Markets
The Turkish Ministry of Trade expanded its priority target countries list to 60 nations for 2026, driving significant results in the mining sector:
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North America & Middle East: Strong growth was recorded in processed marble exports to the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.
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Asia: China remains the largest buyer of metallic ores, leading purchases in chrome, copper, and zinc.
The first-half performance confirms that the Turkish mining sector is not merely relying on the natural abundance of its mineral resources, but is systematically investing in processing and market diversification. The strategic pivot toward high value-added products and penetration into new international markets strengthens Turkey’s standing on the global minerals map, placing the $10 billion annual milestone well within reach.
