AYSAD: Uncontrolled Importation Poses a Danger to the Sector

The Chairman of the ATSAD Board, Sait Salıcı, held an important meeting with sector representatives ahead of the 73rd International Footwear Sub-Industry Fair (AYSAF), which will take place between November 12-15, 2025, at the Istanbul Fair Center. This meeting highlighted the alarming situation of the sector in the first half of 2025.

Salıcı emphasized that uncontrolled imports and rising costs have seriously put the sector in a deadlock. “After more than a thousand closures in textiles and ready-to-wear, we are facing a similar scenario in the footwear sector,” Salıcı stated, pointing out that the current situation could lead the sector into an existential crisis.

Another factor that made the challenges in the sector even more apparent was the $315 million trade deficit. This figure is one of the results of the inability to control imports and the deterioration of market dynamics. Salıcı stated that there is a need for revolutionary changes to regulate imports and emphasized that the crisis environment in the sector must be put to an end as soon as possible.

The irregularity of imports poses a significant threat not only to the footwear sector but also to the textile and ready-to-wear sectors in general. Uncontrolled imports weaken the competitiveness of domestic producers while also negatively affecting the overall dynamics of the economy. Particularly, the increase in costs has reached dimensions that threaten not only production processes but also employment.

As sector representatives came together to discuss ways to cope with this crisis, they emphasized the importance of innovation and sustainability efforts. The footwear sector must develop innovative solutions to overcome the existing challenges. In this context, adopting local production and sustainability approaches is vital for the future of the sector.

In conclusion, the pressure of uncontrolled imports on the sector has significant repercussions not only economically but also socially. It is clear that all stakeholders in the sector need to make a collective effort towards solving the problem. Otherwise, this increasingly deepening crisis will continue to threaten the future of the footwear sector.