Turkey imported 658 circular knitting machines in the first four months of 2018 – almost three times as many as in the first four months of 2017.
In the January-April period of 2017, Turkey imported just 223 circular knitting machines.

The 658 circular knitting machines imported so far this year came from eight countries - three European countries and five countries in the Far East. A total of 145 machines were imported from Germany and 37 machines were imported from Italy. A total of 165 circular knitting machines were imported from the United Kingdom – these are assumed to be second hand machines.

During the period, most of the machinery imported from the Far East came from China, as would be expected - a total of 188 circular knitting machines were imported.

In addition, 24 knitting machines were imported from Japan, 65 machines from Taiwan. Nineteen machines were imported from Malaysia and 15 machines were imported from South Korea.

Turkey is one of the world's leading manufacturers of knitted fabrics.

As Turkey’s textile exports grow, the country’s textile manufacturing companies will have to upgrade their machinery, parts and components, as well as the manufacturing processes. Turkish textile companies are also being encouraged to consider technical collaboration with foreign partners.