"Turkey is not just the biggest textile producing country on the European continent but also the third largest textile exporter of Europe, the seventh largest apparel exporter in the world, the fourth largest apparel supplier of Europe, and the fourth interior textiles exporter in the world"

Over the past several years, Turkey’s exports of performance-based textiles have increased significantly due to the thriving sportswear industry in the European and US markets. The country has established itself as a powerhouse textile exporter with over 4,200 textile and clothing companies operating in it. The recent advances in polymer and fiber science have allowed the country to meet modern-day performance demands, boosting overall market sales by 37 per cent since 2011. 

Design-oriented approach, innovation exceed expectations

Today, Turkey is not just the biggest textile producing country on the European continent but also the third largest textile exporter of Europe, the seventh largest apparel exporter in the world, the fourth largest apparel supplier of Europe, and the fourth interior textiles exporter in the world. The country holds 3 per cent share in world textile exports and 4.5 per cent share in home and interior textiles; its share in technical textiles is 1.5 per cent. 

Turkey’s design-oriented approach and innovation allows its industry to meet demands besides exceeding customer expectations. The country has been successful in meeting demands of the US market where consumers emphasise on the performance features of their clothes in all types of weather conditions. Turkish clothing such as T-shirts, jerseys, pullovers and special sportswear are in great demand in the country, boosting Turkey’s position as a leading textile exporter.

High quality, easy access, FTAs facilitate Turkey’s lead 

The performance-wear created by the Turkish manufacturers is of high quality and comfortable. It has the potential to protect against wind, rain, snow, extreme cold and heat, and high stress situations. Consumers wearing Turkish-manufactured sportswear can get high-quality, comfortable clothing that doesn’t restrict movement and still looks great.

Turkey offers several advantages in textile production as well as the supply of raw materials due to the easy access it provides to strategically important regions and major energy resources, making it a gateway country to European markets. The country is a rich source of raw materials used for the production. Its liberal trade policies equipped with the highly skilled labor force enables it to have a well-developed industry that can produce quality products.

Another advantage that Turkey offers is that it has entered customs union agreement with EU and free trade agreements with other countries. The country is also noted for its favorable working conditions and continues to invest in utilising advanced technologies to grow their industry.

A bright outlook for the Turkish Textile Industry

Due to these benefits Turkey is set to become the world’s leading performance-based textiles exporter. The country is promoting its goods in key markets of EU countries and the Unites States. It is also employing several other strategies like increasing brand exposure overseas, promoting their textiles to top brands, increasing shares in existing markets, creating strategies to strengthen the textile industry worldwide and encouraging industry best practices. As the country continues to showcase its high-performance sportswear and associated materials worldwide, more and more top brands are likely to enjoy the benefits of that the Turkish textile industry offers.