These are the leading manufacturing branches in Mardin. There are 11 large-scale enterprises in this sector and 7 of them are presently active. Products include cement, clinker, concrete, concrete pipe, plaster, lime, brick, tile, etc.

Many of these products are exported. Starting from 1985, there was intensive migration from rural to urban settlement, a process that gave momentum to construction sector. The growth of construction sector further supported these industries.

Cement, concrete tile and brick

A cement factory was established in Mardin in 1974. The plant produces 770,000 tons of cement, 590,000 tons of clinker and concrete annually. There are two enterprises producing concrete pipe. These enterprises annually produce 65,000 tons of pipe, 25,000 tons of fiber pipes, 102,780 m3 cast concrete and 200,000 m3 gas concrete.

Marble and Tile

There are two tile-manufacturing enterprises in the organized district with a capacity of 3,000,000 tiles/year. There is another enterprise capable of producing 120,000 m2 marble panels a year. Two more enterprises to produce the same products are presently under construction..

The lime factory operating since 1975 produces 80,000 tons of lime a year. One enterprise on marble also produces 1,440,000 lime/sandstone a year. Another enterprise to produce plaster is presently under construction.

In countries and areas whose economy is based on agriculture, foodstuffs industry has a critical role to play and mostly becomes the first industrial sector in that area of country

In 1932, three flourmills in Mardin, two at the center and one in Midyat, were accorded incentives within the framework of then existing “Legislation for encouraging Industrial Development”. Shortly after two more enterprises were opened to process sesame and produce sesame oil. The output of these enterprises met the needs of the province and also marketed in other provinces. In the 19^th century there were many wineries in Mardin and some of them had very good reputation for producing high quality wine from local grapes. This traditional potential was used in modern times first in 1980 with the establishment of Savur Dereiçi Winery. It must be noted that wines produced here are exported and occasionally accorded prizes for their special taste.

Furthermore, there were 3 new enterprises after the 80s processing and packing red lentil and producing groats (21,000 tons). One of these enterprises also produces starch.

Mardin has since long had flourmills and small-scale flour processing plants in almost each town. At present, there are 11 enterprises procuring flour and grits, 4 producing groats, 1 producing macaroni and 1 producing biscuits-candy bars, etc.

Yogurt, cheese and butter used to be produced traditionally in domestic environments. At present, cheese produced at the central town, Derik and Kızıltepe is marketed in İstanbul, İzmir and Mersin. There is an enterprise in Mazıdağı producing cheese and butter. The one in Kızıltepe produces milk, cheese and butter.