Aegean Miners Export USD 767 Million in First Half

The Aegean Mining Exporters Association increased its exports by 12% in the first half of 2026, while in the second half of the year it will focus on new markets through trade delegations to Uzbekistan, Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

The Aegean Mining Exporters Association (EMİB) increased its exports to USD 767 million in the first six months of 2026, up 12% compared to the same period of the previous year. Aegean mining companies aim to further expand their export network through trade delegations and international promotional activities organized in the second half of the year.

Speaking at the "EMİB 2026 First Half Assessment Meeting," Aegean Mining Exporters Association Chairman İbrahim Alimoğlu noted that mining exports across Turkey reached USD 3.4 billion in the January-June period. Recalling that this figure stood at USD 2.9 billion in the same period last year, Alimoğlu said the sector's exports showed a 20% increase.

Alimoğlu stated that natural stone products accounted for USD 962 million of Turkey's total mining exports, and said they were continuing their efforts to sustain production and exports despite global economic uncertainties, high production costs and developments in international trade.

China, USA and Spain were the largest markets
Natural stone products took the largest share in EMİB's USD 767 million exports in the first half of 2026. Natural stone was followed by precious metal ores and feldspar exports.

The countries where the association achieved the highest exports were China, USA and Spain respectively, with exports to China up 47% and to Spain up 12%. During the same period, exports to the USA declined by 5%.

In natural stone exports, the most important markets were ranked as USA, China and France. While exports of natural stone to China increased by 42% and to France by 0.9%, the USA market saw a 5% decline.

Turkish natural stone promoted at international fairs
Alimoğlu noted that they continued international promotional activities without interruption in the first half of 2026, saying they participated with an info stand in the Surface Design Show fair held in London, England in February.

Highlighting the successful implementation of the Turkey National Participation Organization within the scope of the Xiamen International Stone Fair held in March, Alimoğlu stated that companies under the UR-GE Project increased their visibility in international markets by taking part in a joint stand.

He said that buying delegation organizations held within the scope of the Marble İzmir International Natural Stone and Technologies Fair in April and the Afyon Block Marble Fair in June contributed to new commercial partnerships by bringing together exporters and foreign buyers.

Trade delegations to accelerate in second half
EMİB will continue its efforts to increase exports in the second half of the year through trade delegations. Under this scope, trade delegations to Uzbekistan, Morocco, Spain and Portugal are planned.

İbrahim Alimoğlu said they aimed to enable exporting companies to play a more active role in new markets and strengthen international business connections through these organizations.

The association will also organize the Final of the 6th Amorphous Natural Stone Project Design Competition and the Natural Stone Gala Evening, where companies with the highest natural stone exports will be awarded, on 5 September at Agora Örenyeri. The roadmap for new period activities will be shared with sector representatives after a workshop to be held on 21 July.