Data and trends on export composition, the shift to processed products, and the impact of the international conjuncture.
Data for the first quarter of 2026 show that the Turkish marble industry is undergoing a phase of realignment, as the strategy to boost processed product exports faces pressures in the international market.
The total value of Turkey’s marble exports decreased by 10.39% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. In contrast, total volumes remained virtually unchanged. This development indicates that the pressure is mainly related to export composition and pricing, rather than overall volume demand.
Downturn in Processed Products and Slowdown in Key Markets
The most significant decline was recorded in processed marble products, where export value dropped by 17.73% and volumes by 16.37%.
This shift is crucial, as in recent years Turkey had oriented its production toward processed marble, seeking to offset the decline in raw material exports to China and strengthen its presence in higher value-added markets.
In this context, countries such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq served as key destinations for Turkish processed products. However, during the first quarter of 2026, exports to these specific markets experienced a slowdown, while downward trends were also recorded in Morocco and Libya.
Particularly for the Middle East, this development coincides with a period of increased geopolitical uncertainty and regional instability due to the war in Iran—factors that are affecting the broader business and investment climate in the region.
Rise in Raw Marble Exports to Asia
At the same time, exports of raw marble (blocks & slabs) moved upward, driven by increased demand from China and India. Specifically, they recorded an 11.91% increase in value and a 19.20% increase in volume. However, this growth was accompanied by lower average prices per ton.
This outlook indicates that the increase in exports to Asian markets relies more on volume rather than value enhancement, an element that may reflect price pressures and more intense competition in the international raw material trade.
Perspectives and Challenges for the Business Model
Historically, exports of raw blocks and slabs dominated the Turkish marble trade in terms of volume. The efforts of recent years to increase the share of processed products aimed to reduce dependence on the Chinese raw material market.
The data for Q1 2026 do not necessarily imply a reversal of this planning. They do show, however, that the international conjuncture, the pressure on key finished product markets, and the reactivation of Asian demand for raw materials are shaping a new balance for the sector.
For the Turkish industry, the coming quarters are expected to show to what extent maintaining the higher value-added export model is feasible in an environment of increasing competition, or whether conditions will lead to a reassessment of the direction of its business model.
