Istanbul: The Turkish Housewares Association (ZUCDER) is gearing up to open trade centers in Germany and the United States as part of a strategic initiative to enhance exports, the association's chair, Mesut Oksuz, announced during a news conference in Istanbul.

According to Anadolu Agency, Oksuz detailed that agreements have been finalized concerning Germany. The plan involves facilitating ZUCDER members to establish stores and warehouses in Germany, leveraging ZUCDER pre-financing and government support. This move aims to help members expand in Germany, which is considered one of their largest markets, through both online and traditional sales channels.

The United States, recognized as the world's largest economy, is also a significant player in the housewares market, accounting for over 25% of global imports. Oksuz noted that the Turkish share in these imports is a mere 0.3%, highlighting the challenges of selling products without local warehousing or meeting specific standards. He emphasized that entering the US market by deploying members in various states and establishing joint warehouses is a priority for the association.

ZUCDER is also set to launch a digital program intended to boost employment within the sector and connect producers with key online marketplaces. Oksuz explained that this digital platform will enable producers to conduct B2B meetings throughout the year, thereby increasing business opportunities.

In 2024, the Turkish houseware sector reported exports amounting to $5.6 billion, achieving a foreign trade surplus of $2.5 billion. Oksuz also pointed to ZUCDER's proactive efforts to enhance exports, which include organizing 10 summits over the past six years and conducting visits to several countries such as Russia, the UK, and Saudi Arabia.