Sep 17, 2025 (MarketLine via COMTEX) --
European textile fair Texhibition Istanbul shared optimism about the future of the TA 1/4rkiye's textile sector, as it faces up to tough challenges, reports Semih GA 1/4ven in Istanbul.
TA 1/4rkiye's Texhibition show was held for the eighth time on 10-12 September and brought together more than 500 distinguished exhibitors and over 25,000 industry professionals, including 6,500 international visitors. Buyers from more than 100 countries aEUR" spanning from Europe to the Middle East, North Africa to the Americas aEUR" attended the fair, confirming its global reach amid changes in US trade policy and European Union (EU) sustainability requirements
TA 1/4rkiye strives to preserve apparel, textile export marketsAWith recent declines in employment and capacity within TA 1/4rkiyeaEUR(TM)s textile and apparel sectors, Texhibition Istanbul has taken on an increasingly important mission.
Between January and August 2025, Turkish textile and related raw materials exports recorded a slight 0.8% increase year-on-year, but apparel exports contracted by 8%, according to Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials ExportersaEUR(TM) Association (ITHIB).
As a result, capacity utilisation in upstream textiles production fell 5.5% year-on-year as of August 2025, and total employment in TA 1/4rkiyeaEUR(TM)s textiles and apparel sector from 1.067m to 904,000 people, said ITHIB data. Amid global economic and political uncertainties, the fair provided TA 1/4rkiye with an opportunity to demonstrate the sectoraEUR(TM)s resilience and dynamism, maybe reversing some of these trends.A
Exports continue through sacrificeAOpening the fair, ITHIB chairman Ahmet A-ksA 1/4z emphasised the industry had matched last yearaEUR(TM)s textiles and associated raw materials sector export levels. In the first eight months of 2025, textile sector exports rose 0.8% year-on-year to $7.564bn. By contrast, ready-made garment sector exports fell by 8% in the same period, from $10.522bn to $9.681bn. The combined exports of the Turkish textile and ready-made garment sectors decreased from $18.030bn to $17.245bn in the first eight months of 2025.
aEURoeWe often sold at or even below cost to maintain competitiveness,aEUR noted A-ksA 1/4z.A
A-ksA 1/4z highlighted that Turkish employment in the textile and ready-made garment sectors as of June 2025 had fallen to 904,000 people, with employment in the textile and ready-made garment sectors over the past year falling by 105,000 people.
Despite this the industry generates $76bn in production value and delivers a foreign trade surplus of $16.8bn. Stressing thatATA 1/4rkiyeAis among the few countries worldwide able to carry out all stages of textile and apparel production at scale, he called for an increase in the 3% foreign exchange conversion support if they sell 35% of their export revenues to the TA 1/4rkiye central bank.
He also urged the continuation of state incentives for the Turkish clothing and textile sector and recommended a review of aEUR~concordataEUR(TM) rules aEUR" a bankruptcy postponement and debt restructuring mechanism, preventing creditors initiating foreclosure proceedings. This situation harms creditors, A-ksA 1/4z told Texhibition Istanbul: "While trying to protect large companies, let us not drive smaller creditor firms into bankruptcy." A
A-ksA 1/4z: Sustainability is a responsibility, not an obligationAA-ksA 1/4z underlined during the event that innovation is a defining advantage separating Turkish textiles from competitors, although he added that while Turkish firms have made significant technical progress, there is still ground to cover.
On the impact of slowing global economic activity, he noted: aEURoeAlthough we have seen some contraction in readymade garment exports, we have not lost our market share in the EU.aEURA
Addressing expectations of more flexible US import policies on sustainable products following the recent change in administration, A-ksA 1/4z emphasised that sustainability is not an obligation but a responsibility for the Turkish textile sector aEUR" and one for which TA 1/4rkiye is already well-prepared. On reports that Turkish textile firms are shifting production to Egypt, he said: aEURoeThis is largely a matter of perception. Only a limited number of Turkish companies have moved some basic production to Egypt, while continuing their main operations in TA 1/4rkiye.aEURA
Also speaking at the event, TA 1/4rkiyeaEUR(TM)s deputy trade minister Volkan Agar highlighted the countryaEUR(TM)s deep-rooted textile heritage, from the opulent fabrics of the Ottoman period to the early years of the Turkish Republic in the 1920s and 1930s. aEURoeTurkey has reached this point thanks to the dedication of its producers and exporters,aEUR he said, adding that today, design, art, research, and production come together in the sector.A
Agar reported that in 2024, Turkish textile and raw materials exports generated $9.4bn revenue, with robust performance even in distant markets like the United States. In the first eight months of 2025, exports totalled $6.3bn, he said aEUR" holding their own. Despite global uncertainty, Agar emphasised the sectoraEUR(TM)s production strength and determination. He added that the Turkish economy overall grew by 3.3% in 2024 and maintained momentum in early 2025 with a year-on-year growth rate of 4.8% in the first quarter aEUR" marking 20 consecutive quarters of growth. A
TA 1/4rkiyeaEUR(TM)s geopolitical advantageAIndustry representatives at the fair pointed to rising labour costs and the growing attractiveness of north African countries for production (such as Egypt), alongside global economic uncertainty, as key challenges. Nevertheless, many speakers emphasised TA 1/4rkiyeaEUR(TM)s unique strengths, such as its strategic geopolitical location and strong problem-solving capacity among firms, as critical factors sustaining competitiveness.A
Adana, southern TA 1/4rkiye-based Palmiye Tekstil was among the participants. Sales and marketing director SA 1/4leyman Ipek noted that the company supplies fabrics to global brands such as Zara and Marks & Spencer, producing 36m metres annually. With exports to Spain, Morocco, the UK, Romania, Bulgaria and the US, Ipek stressed TA 1/4rkiyeaEUR(TM)s close links to neighbouring European and Middle East markets and good relations with the US combined with its well-established credibility in textiles. The company has also invested in sustainability, opening a water recycling facility that allows for the reuse of 70% of its water.A
Another major exhibitor, Bossa, with 75 years of industry presence making denim and sportswear fabrics, operates entirely inATA 1/4rkiyeAand employs 1,500 people, also in Adana. Sales specialist Yigit KA 1/4AA 1/4k explained that while some companies in the sector are shifting apparel production to Egypt, Bossa has no such plans. He acknowledged, however, that TA 1/4rkiyeaEUR(TM)s minimum wage, Turkish Lira TRY26,005.50 ($629) per month, poses challenges in competing with north African countries, where wages are considerably lower. Quality production is one answer - Bossa has embraced eco-friendly production methods, including water-saving dyes, and continues to build on the global recognition of aEUR~Made in TA 1/4rkiye' products. A
Artificial intelligence accelerates textile designAThe integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and software solutions into textile production and design was another key theme at the fair. A.I.T Bilgisayar R&D team leader Umut Aeliker explained that since 1996, the company has provided technology solutions to the sector, including Photoshop plug-ins, aEUR~variantaEUR(TM) software generating different colours, patterns or model options of a product and AI-based design tools. The companyaEUR(TM)s software can generate new patterns from text or images, redraw low-quality designs at up to 10,000 pixels, and allow designers to visualise patterns virtually before printing. Serving more than 2,000 users in 20 countries, the company positions AI not as a threat but as an assistant, enhancing designersaEUR(TM) creativity.A
Bursa-based DoCode Yazilim, founded in 2016, was another software company present. Co-founder Cem Yildirim said that his companyaEUR(TM)s solutions now support over 1,200 active users in TA 1/4rkiye, offering features such as pattern colouring, aEUR~variant transfer (applying a colour or design variation of a pattern to different fabric surfaces or product models), fabric texture simulation, fabric colour calibration and digital lookbooks.A
Such innovation will be of key importance as TA 1/4rkiye aims to continue being a critical player in global textile and apparel supply chains.A
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