12 Textile and Ready-to-Wear Companies from the Aegean Region Make It to TİM’s Top 1000 Exporters List
Twelve companies from the textile and ready-to-wear industries in the Aegean Region have earned a spot on the Turkish Exporters Assembly’s (TIM) Top 1000 Exporters List, often referred to as the “Champions League” of Turkish exports, which accounts for 66% of the country’s total exports. Nine companies affiliated with the Aegean Exporters’ Associations were listed, while three textile and ready-to-wear exporters from Denizli also secured their places among the top performers.
Despite a challenging 2024 for Turkiye’s textile and garment sectors, the outstanding performance of the Aegean-based companies on this list shined brightly.
Üniteks Tekstil Climbs Three Ranks
İzmir-based Üniteks Tekstil Gıda Sanayi ve Dış Ticaret A.Ş., which ranked fifth in Turkiye’s ready-to-wear and garment exports in 2023, climbed three spots in 2024 to become second nationwide, becoming a top contender in the industry. The company also ranked 117th among all sectors in Turkiye’s overall exports.
Sun Tekstil Rises 103 Spots in the Top 1000
In 2024, Turkiye’s ready-to-wear and garment sector faced a 7% decline in exports, dropping from $19.2 billion to $17.9 billion, due to high inflation a low exchange rate and recession in Europe—its largest export market. Despite this downturn, İzmir-based Sun Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. delivered a stellar performance.
Sun Tekstil increased its exports by 89%, from $119 million in 2023 to $224.3 million in 2024. In the ready-to-wear category, the company climbed 9 positions to become third nationwide, and in the overall ranking, it soared 103 places to 123rd.
Notably, two of Turkiye’s top three garment exporters in 2024 were from the Aegean Region.
Other notable ready-to-wear exporters from İzmir that made it to the TIM Top 1000 List include: Fore Uluslararası Paz. ve Tic. A.Ş., ranked 15th in the sector, Menderes Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., ranked 31st, İşbir Sentetik Dokuma Sanayi A.Ş., placed at 55th.
Uçak Tekstil Takes Off
A member of the Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association, Uçak Tekstil Turizm İth. İhr. San. ve Tic. A.Ş., was another standout performer in 2024. With a 126% increase in exports, from $53.5 million to $120.7 million, Uçak Tekstil rose 307 positions in the Top 1000 list, from 549th to 242nd. In the textile and raw materials category, it jumped 13 places, from 18th to 5th.
Ekoten Tekstil Becomes Fastest-Rising Textile Company
Having entered the TIM Top 1000 Exporters List at 977th in 2023, Ekoten Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. became one of the fastest-climbing companies in 2024.
With a 79% increase in exports, reaching $56 million, Ekoten rose 424 ranks to settle at 553rd overall. In the textile and raw materials sector, the company improved 27 positions, landing at 17th.
Balta Orient Tekstil Ranks 9th in Carpet Exports
Based in Uşak and a member of the Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association, Balta Orient Tekstil San. ve Tic. A.Ş. became one of only two firms from Uşak to make the TIM Top 1000 List in 2024, securing 9th place in the carpet sector.
Other Aegean-based exporters from Denizli that made the list include: Filidea Tekstil San. ve Tic. A.Ş., Sürü Tekstil Konfeksiyon San. ve Tic. Ltd. Şti., Ozanteks Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.
Sertbaş: “A Clear Sign That Turkiye’s Ready-to-Wear Industry Still Has Strong Momentum”
Burak Sertbaş, President of the Aegean Apparel Exporters’ Association
Burak Sertbaş, President of the Aegean Apparel Exporters’ Association, expressed pride in the performance of Aegean apparel exporters on TIM’s Top 1000 Exporters List, calling it a clear indication that Turkiye’s apparel industry remains resilient despite tough conditions.
“The position of our companies on this list strengthens our hopes for the future.” Sertbaş said.
“These achievements prove that Turkiye still needs the garment sector. I have no doubt that we will achieve similar success in 2025. To support the recovery and future growth of our exports, we will organize a national participation with 12 companies at the PV Manufacturing New York Fair, taking place on July 15–16, 2025. Through trade fairs, B2B delegations, and buyer missions, our aim is to reverse the decline in exports and return to growth.”
