Turkiye’s textile and apparel (T&A) exports experienced mixed results during the January-May 2025 period, according to a report by the Istanbul Textile and Apparel Exporters’ Association (iTHiB).
While overall textile and raw materials exports witnessed a modest increase, apparel and garment shipments declined.
Notably, Turkiye’s T&A exports to Egypt increased by up to 50 per cent in the first five months of 2025. This significant rise contributed to the overall 1.6 per cent increase in Turkish textile and raw materials exports, reaching $4.8 billion. However, apparel and garment exports decreased by 7.2 per cent to $6 billion compared to the previous period.
Geographically, Turkiye’s textile exports to the European Union (EU) rose by 0.6 per cent, totaling $2 billion. Exports to African nations expanded by 24 per cent to $650.2 million. In contrast, shipments to American countries contracted by 2 per cent, reaching $386 million. The most substantial increase in textile exports was observed in Asia and Oceania, with a 27.6 per cent rise to $370.8 million.
Italy remained the top destination for Turkiye’s textile and raw materials, showing a 0.7 per cent increase. However, the United States and Germany registered declines of 0.9 per cent and 2.6 per cent, respectively. Spain followed with a 2 per cent increase, while exports to Egypt recorded a substantial 44 per cent rise.
Technical textiles emerged as the leading product group in exports, growing by 5.8 per cent to $987 million. Nonwovens accounted for 34.5 per cent of this category. The US, Germany, and Italy were the primary recipients of technical textile exports, with Morocco experiencing the highest increase at 38.4 per cent.
Woven fabrics followed with exports decreasing by 1.5 per cent to $978 million. Cotton woven fabrics exports represented 38.7 per cent of this category, while SSE filament woven fabrics accounted for 37.8 per cent. Yarn exports increased by 5.1 per cent to $957 million, with Italy, Egypt, and Portugal being key markets.
Conversely, knitted fabric exports declined by 8.4 per cent, and home textiles saw a 1.7 per cent decrease. On a positive note, denim fabric exports increased by 19.1 per cent, reaching $128 million.
