Industrial sourcing in Turkey
Why Turkey is on every serious industrial buyer's map: strong sectors, cost positioning, certifications, logistics and the honest watch-outs.
Overview
Turkey is the natural near-shore alternative for European buyers who need 30–50% cost saving without Asian lead times. Strong in steel construction, automotive Tier 2, white goods and heavy fabrication.
Strong sectors
- Heavy steel fabrication
- Automotive Tier 2/3
- White goods
- Defence
- Castings
Why source here
- Hourly labour cost 50–70% below EU average
- Customs union with EU (no import duties on most industrial goods)
- 3–7 day road shipping to central Europe
- Mature steel and forging base, dozens of EN 1090 shops
What to watch out for
- Currency volatility (TRY) — fix prices in EUR/USD
- Quality dispersion: select certified shops, audit before first PO
Certifications to ask for
- ISO 9001
- IATF 16949
- EN 1090
- PED 2014/68/EU
Frequently asked questions
Turkey or Eastern Europe — which one?
Turkey wins on heavy steel, large forgings and price; Poland/Czech win on machined precision parts and proximity to Germany.
Is the customs union still active?
Yes — industrial products move duty-free between Turkey and the EU, but documentation (A.TR certificate) is required.
Manufacturing processes covered
Editorial market guide. Supplyria is a marketplace; we don't list private suppliers on this page. Cost ranges and lead times are indicative and based on public industry benchmarks.