The International Istanbul Furniture Fair (IIFF 2025), one of the three most prestigious global gatherings in the furniture industry, set a new record by welcoming over 150,000 visitors from 170 countries.
Ahmet Güleç, President of the Federation of Furniture Associations (MOSFED), stated that the Turkish furniture sector had extensive interactions with foreign buyers during the fair. He expressed expectations of signing new business deals exceeding $3 billion throughout the year. The fair, organized by MOSFED at Tüyap Fair and Congress Center and Istanbul Fair Center (IFM), spanned 25 halls and covered a total area of 250,000 square meters, hosting over 3,000 brands.
Bringing the global furniture industry together in Istanbul and ranking among the world’s top three furniture events, IIFF 2025 once again attracted immense interest from all over the world. The fair, held simultaneously at Tüyap and IFM, featured participation from over 3,000 brands from countries including Türkiye, Germany, the USA, China, Italy, Kazakhstan, Singapore, and Russia. This year, the fair hosted more than 150,000 domestic and international visitors from 170 countries, introducing an innovative approach to the visitor experience. With its revamped website, IIFF mobile app, and international-focused marketing strategies, the fair enhanced visitor engagement while further boosting export opportunities.
Target: $12 Billion in Exports by 2030
MOSFED President Ahmet Güleç highlighted the significant contribution of the fair to the industry: “Turkish furniture is making its mark on the world, and IIFF plays a crucial role in this success story. Each year, the fair increases its added value to the sector, making it not only Türkiye’s but also one of the most strategic events for global furniture trade. With 170 countries represented and over 150,000 visitors, IIFF 2025 has once again placed Turkish furniture on the world stage. The high-efficiency interactions at the fair are expected to result in more than $3 billion in business agreements throughout the year. These new collaborations will greatly contribute to our journey toward our 2030 goal of achieving $12 billion in exports. By 2030, we aim for 1 billion consumers worldwide to use Turkish furniture.”
A strong start to 2025 for Turkish manufacturers
Ahmet Güleç noted that while the 2024 fair attracted visitors from 150 countries, this year’s edition saw an increase to 170 countries. He added: “The rise in foreign buyers from specific countries confirms that we are on the right path. Compared to 2024, visitor numbers from Iraq surged by 102%, while the USA saw a 90% increase. Additionally, there was double-digit growth in participation from the Gulf region, Central Asia, and North Africa, further expanding the fair’s international appeal. The growing interest from Europe, Asia, and Africa demonstrates that the Istanbul Furniture Fair is becoming an increasingly strategic global meeting point for the furniture industry.”
Turkish furniture industry grows through design and innovation
Emphasizing Türkiye’s global position as a design and innovation powerhouse, MOSFED President Ahmet Güleç stated: “Over the past decade, our industry has written a remarkable success story, increasing its share in global furniture exports from 0.3% to 2%. As of 2024, we have raised our export value per kilogram to $3.57, with a future target of $6. Our export goal for 2025 is $5 billion. Today, we export to 213 countries, generating an annual foreign trade surplus of $4 billion. Over the last decade, we have accumulated a total foreign trade surplus exceeding $40 billion.” He also noted that achieving an 80% domestic production rate is a key indicator of sustainable growth in the sector.
Visitor-centric innovations boost participation
IIFF 2025 stood out not only for its industry collaborations but also for its focus on enhancing the visitor experience. The redesigned website and international marketing strategies made the fair more accessible to global participants. The IIFF mobile app provided significant convenience within the venue, while the online ticketing service expedited entry processes. Along with its initiatives to expand the global trade volume of the industry, IIFF 2025 also delivered a comfortable and effective trade fair experience through digital innovations.
