Turkey nearshoring strategy The Nearshoring & Friendshoring Boom: Why Turkey is Europe’s Best Alternative to Asia
Many companies are rethinking their global sourcing strategy. In the past, efficiency and low cost were the main goals. Today, supply chain resilience and flexibility matter just as much.
For European businesses, Sourcing from Turkey (officially known as Turkiye ) has become one of the strongest options. Turkey is now a major sourcing hub for Europe, providing a strong alternative to manufacturing in Asia.
This shift is especially important in 2025. With trade tensions, tariffs, and shipping disruptions, both European and U.S. companies want to depend less on distant suppliers. Nearshoring and Friendshoring have moved to the top of the agenda, and Turkey is right at the center.
ET2C International: Your Partner in Turkey nearshoring strategy
ET2C International has been helping global brands with their Turkey sourcing strategy for more than 20 years. We connect companies with reliable suppliers, making sourcing from Turkey simple and low-risk.
We have 200 team members across key markets, including China, Vietnam, India, and Turkey. Our office in Izmir gives clients fast access to local suppliers and deep market knowledge.
When language, time zones, or business culture create barriers, we act as your bridge. Our focus is on building long-term partnerships, not just one-time transactions. We use our global sourcing experience to help clients benefit from Turkey’s manufacturing. For more information, contact us at contact@et2cint.com
Why Choose Turkey?
1. Location and Speed
Nearshoring to Turkey cuts shipping times, lowers transport risks, and allows faster response to market changes.
2. Safer Logistics
Issues like Suez Canal delays show the risk of long-distance shipping. Turkey offers land, rail, and short-sea routes as alternatives.
3. Strong Industry
Turkey manufacturing is advanced in automotive, white goods, and textiles. Its Customs Union with the EU makes trade smoother and strengthens its role as a European sourcing hub.
4. Skilled Workforce
Turkey has a large, educated, and cost-effective workforce. Turkey produces many graduates in engineering and modern tech fields.
5. Cultural Fit & Time Zone
Working with Turkey feels more aligned with Europe compared to distant markets. Shared time zones mean real-time communication, faster problem solving, and better collaboration.
6. Market Access
Turkey is not just a gateway to Europe. Its location also opens doors to the Middle East and Africa, adding extra value to any global sourcing strategy.
7. Economic Growth
A History of Making Things Well
Turkish factories have been producing high-quality goods for decades. When you source from Turkey, you are not dealing with a new, unproven market. The factories there already meet the high standards that European buyers expect. They are good at making complicated products, not just simple ones. For example, in the textile industry, Turkish suppliers can quickly produce small batches of fashionable clothes, which is perfect for companies that need to follow fast-changing trends. This is called agility, and it’s something that very distant suppliers often can’t match.
In early 2025, Turkey’s economy grew by 2%. Industrial production rose 5%, showing resilience and investment strength. More Reasons Why Turkey Works for Sourcing Turkey has become a key player because it understands what European companies need right now. It is more than just a convenient location; it is about the quality and speed you get. In early 2025, Turkey’s economy grew by 2%. Industrial production rose 5%, showing resilience and investment strength.The Challenge: Rising Costs
Easy Paperwork and Clear Rules
One of the biggest advantages is Turkey’s relationship with the European Union (EU), The Customs Union means that many products can move between Turkey and the EU without complex and costly customs checks. This makes the whole process of buying and selling much faster and more predictable. When the rules are clear and the paperwork is simple, it reduces delays and saves money. It makes Turkey feel like a close business partner, not just a foreign supplier.
A Young and Ready Population
Turkey has a very large and relatively young population. This means there are always enough people ready to work. More importantly, the education system produces many graduates in important fields like engineering and technology. This skilled labor pool means that Turkish factories can handle advanced manufacturing and use new technologies. They aren’t just focused on manual labor; they can take on high-tech tasks that add more value to the products. This focus on skill keeps the quality of goods consistently high.
Less Risk, More Trust
When a factory is thousands of miles away, small problems can turn into huge delays. If you need to fly over to inspect a product or solve an issue, it takes time and a lot of money. Because Turkey is so close to Europe, you can visit a factory quickly and often. This close contact builds trust and allows problems to be solved right away, reducing risk in the supply chain. This is the heart of Friendshoring: working with partners who are both physically and culturally close.
The Local Suppliers Are Connected
Turkish manufacturing is not just one factory working alone. It has strong local supplier networks. This means that if a factory needs a specific part or material, they can often find it easily within Turkey. This local connection makes the entire production process smoother and less likely to break down because of problems with global shipping or distant parts suppliers. This self-sufficiency is a huge factor in building a resilient supply chain that can handle global shocks.
Commitment to Quality and Sustainability Beyond speed, Turkey is also focused on meeting global standards for environmental responsibility and worker rights. Many Turkish suppliers are already investing in greener processes and better working conditions to align with EU regulations. This commitment to sustainability removes potential ethical and legal problems for European buyers. Choosing Turkey means choosing a partner that cares about the long-term impact of production, not just the short-term cost.
The Challenge: Rising Costs
Turkey is not the cheapest sourcing market anymore. Energy and labor costs have increased, affecting its cost advantage. But many companies now see strategy supply chain resilience as more important than chasing the lowest price. This makes sourcing from Turkey a long-term play for security and agility. Turkey nearshoring strategy is not the cheapest sourcing market anymore. Energy and labor costs have increased, affecting its cost advantage. But many companies now see strategy supply chain resilience as more important than chasing the lowest price. This makes sourcing from Turkey a long-term play for security and agility.
The Outlook Turkey nearshoring strategy
Despite cost challenges, Turkey’s location, skilled workforce, and strong industries keep it a top choice for global sourcing. Its future success will depend on reforms: controlling inflation, improving financing, and upgrading local industry. Companies choosing Nearshoring and Friendshoring in Turkey believe that resilience, speed, and flexibility are more important than short-term cost savings.
Getting Started with ET2C Turkey nearshoring strategy
At ET2C, we guide clients in Europe and the U.S. through Turkey sourcing strategy and beyond. We help balance cost, quality, and resilience across different sourcing markets. Contact our experts at contact@et2cint.com
David Young
Position: Group Marketing Director
David W. Young is a recognized thought leader in global sourcing and procurement, sharing expert insights on navigating inflation, managing overheads, and building resilient supply chains. He champions strategic solutions for maximizing business value in a volatile world. LinkedIn or david.y@et2c.com.
