For the first half of 2018, Turkey’s apparel and clothing exports increased 7.7 per cent compared to the same period of 2017. From January to June 2018, the share of clothing and apparel exports in Turkey’s total exports was 10.8 per cent. The figure was 11.1 per cent in the same period of 2015; 12.3 per cent in the January-June period of 2016, and 10.7 per cent in the January-June period of 2017.

In ready-to-wear garment exports Germany led followed by Spain and the UK. Exports to Germany increased 7.2 per cent while to Spain it increased 26.8 per cent. Exports to the UK increased 1.9 per cent. The Netherlands came in fourth place and France ranked fifth.

The most exported product group in the first six months of 2018 was knitted garments. Exports of knit garments increased by 6.3 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year. The second largest group – woven apparel goods and accessories – increased 9.7 per cent. Exports of other readymade goods, including home textile products, rose 7.6 per cent.

In the first six months of 2018, unit prices for apparel and apparel sector exports increased 3.2 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year.