Our country is the main base of marble quarries that contribute millions of USD to our economy as well as architecturally developing spaces with more than 150 natural stone types in over 650 colors and patterns. So much so that nearly 50% of the world’s marble reserves are located in our country.
In this beautiful country with so much wealth, the narrow-axis economic world model and global crises that started after the pandemic have undermined the future of our sector, and unfortunately, Turkish marble has come to the eve of relegation by descending down the league day by day.
As I have been saying in every environment for the last two years, the marble sector must urgently change its stance and switch to a boutique production – boutique sales model. Countries such as China, India, Egypt, which host the main block buyers, America, Gulf countries, Far East countries, the Balkans and even Russian-speaking countries are experiencing a very serious decrease in trade volume compared to the past.
With the shrinking trade volume, exporters are making concessions in order to make sales, open accounts and sales at a loss are on the agenda, damaging the future of the sector and unfortunately throwing themselves into the fire in order to save the day by making cheap calculations. Our companies, which make concessions to sell and take great risks to save the day, should put their feet on the ground and urgently stop adding fuel to the fire.
“M. Salih Yıldız, Founding President of ASKON Mining Commission”
+90 532 585 51 95
+90 532 585 51 95