The event, continuing through November 22, 2025, at the Istanbul Expo Centre, is a strategic milestone in efforts to increase international engagement with the sector.
This is the first time that ANFAO and ITA have organised a group presence of Italian companies at the Istanbul show. The aim is to develop a structured market-access strategy for industry SMEs through analysis of local commercial dynamics and the involvement of key distribution stakeholders.
The Turkish trade show is a platform for the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) regions. A historic bridge between Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a meeting point of cultures and commerce, thus confirming its role as a business hub for the eyewear industry, linking markets, new commercial opportunities, design and style.
Turkey is an emerging market in close geographic proximity to Italy and is included among the target countries of the MAECI Export Action Plan. In 2024, it ranked sixth among destinations for Italian eyewear exports, with a value exceeding €200 million (about 4% of the sector’s total export value).
The total market value of eyewear in Turkey in 2024 is estimated at €657 million — frames being the most dynamic category, with sales of around €330 million; followed by ophthalmic lenses, at around €324 million; while ready-made glasses represent a marginal share of about €1 million. Projected average annual growth for the period 2025–2030 (CAGR) is +3.5% in constant value (source: Euromonitor International, 2025).
Double-digit growth of Italian eyewear exports to Turkey in the first half of 2025 supports the strategic push to diversify Italian exports toward non-traditional markets.
To facilitate penetration of the Turkish market and promote the unique style and attention to detail of Italian design, today, November 20th, from 4 pm, an exclusive “The Italian Touch” reception will take place, bringing together the country’s main importers and distributors and the Italian exhibiting companies.
The fourteen participating companies are: 450, Aru, Devimar 1976, Fao Flex, Italiana Design, Kask, L.G.R., La Giardiniera, Luxol, Mad in Italy, Martini Occhiali, MDM Occhiali, Nannini Italian Quality and Vanni.
As was the case at IEE — Italian Eyewear Exhibition — Paris 2025, ANFAO actively supports the participation of Italian businesses by contributing to the reduction of costs incurred by member exhibitors and promoting a strong, representative collective presence.
“With this initiative,” stated ANFAO Vice President Davide Degl’Incerti Tocci, responsible for internationalisation, “ANFAO reaffirms its role as a driving force in the Italian eyewear supply chain, committed to promoting Made in Italy worldwide and strengthening synergies between international markets, businesses and institutions.”
