Turkish Brands Boycotted in India

• 20 May 2025
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Following Turkey's apparent support of Pakistan amid a time of increased military tension between India and Pakistan, Indian businesses and internet platforms have started to distance themselves from Turkish brands in India in a noticeable change driven by national emotion.

"Small Indian grocery shops and major online fashion retailers are boycotting Turkish products ranging from chocolates, coffee, jams and cosmetics to clothing amid growing anger at Turkey's support for Pakistan in a confrontation with India," according to Reuters.

The unease began after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan voiced clear support for Pakistan after India’s military response to an attack in Jammu and Kashmir carried out by militants. The clash, which lasted several days, drew sharp public and political reactions in India and resulted in a wave of consumer driven action.

The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF), a federation that represents suppliers to about 13 million small retailers across the country, responded by announcing an "indefinite and total boycott" of goods from Turkey. The ban affects several everyday items including chocolates, biscuits, jams, and skincare products.

Fashion platforms have followed suit. Indian e-commerce giant Myntra, owned by Flipkart, has removed Turkish clothing brands from its site, including popular names like Trendyol, LC Waikiki, and Mavi. Industry insiders confirmed that these steps were taken "in the national interest" and were not directed by any government mandate.

Reliance-owned fashion platform AJIO has also taken similar steps, quietly delisting Turkish brands such as Koton, Trendyol, and LC Waikiki. Products from these brands now appear as out of stock on the app, signaling a silent phasing out.

While there has been no official order from the Indian government urging a boycott, the symbolic consumer push could have a measurable impact. India imported $2.7 billion worth of goods from Turkey last year, much of it in the form of minerals and metals. However, food and apparel imports are still significant. AICPDF estimates that their ban alone could impact approximately ₹2,000 crore (around $234 million) in Turkish food product sales, while apparel imports were worth about $81 million.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, adding to the momentum, called for a halt to apple imports from Turkey valued at around $60 million last year. Flipkart also recently paused bookings for flights, hotels, and travel packages to Turkey as a gesture aligned with "India’s national interest and sovereignty."

Top 10 Turkish Brands in India

Before the recent pullback, several top Turkish brands had gained popularity in the Indian market across different categories. Here is a list of Turkey brands in India that were quite famous before the informal boycott took place:

• Torku: Torku is a famous Turkish brand in India. It is popular for its natural hazelnut spreads, chocolates, and confectionery items, making it one of the famous Turkey products in India. It represents a large cooperative of Turkish farmers and tastes similar to Nutella.

• Trendyol: Trendyol is a widely used fashion e-commerce platform. It offers trendy and affordable clothing, especially women’s apparel. It had an exclusive presence on Myntra and Ajio. However, after the Turkish boycott campaign, the clothing items and accessories are no longer available in India.

• Dalan: Known for its olive oil-based soaps and skincare products rooted in traditional Turkish formulations. 

• Koton: Koton is one of the leading Turkish brands in India. It is a major global fashion retailer that offers budget-friendly, youth-oriented fashion. Before the boycott, Koton was one of the best Turkish brands in India.

• Nishane: Nishane is a popular luxury perfume brand with a distinct identity based on Istanbul’s rich culture. Its perfumes are available on Tata Cliq. However, individuals who have boycotted Turkey products may no longer be interested in purchasing Nishane.

• LC Waikiki: It is a global fashion player that offers family-friendly apparel. Though it started in France, it has strong Turkish ownership and branding.

• Mavi: Mavi is a premium denim label with international appeal, especially among young urban shoppers. Before the boycott against Turkish fashion brands in India, Mavi was one of the leading Turkish brands sold in India.

• Grimelange: Grimelange, which was sold on Ajio before Turkey Boycott, is a niche fashion brand popular for minimalist and graphic styles. It was one of the leading Turkey products brands in India before the boycott.

• OXXO: Turkish brand OXXO is known for its affordable, sustainable fashion targeted at young women, with a strong Turkish street-style influence.

• Happiness Istanbul: Happiness Istanbul was one of the Turkish clothing brands in India. It is a label that blends modern design with traditional Turkish aesthetics, offering everything from dresses to sweaters. It was earlier sold on Myntra. However, now it is not available on the fashion app. 

"Myntra is reassessing its partnerships, pending further developments," one executive told Economic Times, hinting that the delisting could be long-term. Flipkart, which holds exclusive rights to Trendyol in India, has also suspended the brand’s operations on its platform for now. 

Reliance also has made its stance clear by pulling Turkish brands from AJIO and even closing its office in Turkey. A spokesperson stated the company was realigning its brand portfolio to resonate with national sentiment.

These developments suggest that while no official sanctions have been declared, Indian businesses and consumers are collectively making a strong statement through economic choices and reflects both public emotion and strategic caution.

As the situation develops, the future of Turkey brands in India list remains uncertain, with many watching whether this informal boycott will extend or evolve in the coming months.