The Turkish Ready-to Wear Sector Demonstrated Strategic Resilience in 2025
The year 2025 stands out for the Turkish ready-to-wear and apparel sector as a period in which not only temporary fluctuations but also long-accumulated structural problems are being clearly felt. While weak global demand, rising inventory levels, and geopolitical uncertainties are putting pressure on the sector worldwide, domestic economic policies are further deepening this pressure. Nevertheless, thanks to its flexible production structure and experience in crisis management, the sector continues its operations and does not abandon its struggle to maintain competitiveness despite all challenges.
Global ready-to-wear and garment trade has followed a volatile course in the post-pandemic period. After contracting in 2023, global trade began to show a limited recovery in 2024 and continued its growth trend in 2025. This recovery has largely favored countries with cost advantages such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India. Although Türkiye has experienced a decline in its ranking among the world’s ready-to-wear exporters, it has managed to maintain its position as a strategic supplier—particularly in the European market—thanks to its high quality standards, sustainable production infrastructure, and fast delivery capabilities.
Turkish ready-to-wear and garment exports reached USD 16.77 billion in 2025, indicating a 6.3% decrease compared to the previous year. While the sector’s share in total industrial exports declined from 9.7% to 8.6%, ready-to-wear remains Türkiye’s fourth-largest exporting industry after automotive and chemicals. With its high domestic value-added ratio and extensive auxiliary industry ecosystem, the sector continues to play a strategic role in the export economy.
Losses Become More Pronounced in the European Market, Strategic Position Is Maintained
In 2025, a marked contraction was observed in the European Union market, which constitutes the backbone of exports. Declines are notable in traditional core markets such as Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom. On the other hand, the tendency of European brands to shift their supply chains toward closer and safer production centers presents significant medium-term opportunities for Türkiye. Limited increases seen in the U.S., Middle Eastern, and African markets also provide positive signals in terms of market diversification.
In 2025, the majority of exports consisted of knitted clothing products, followed by woven clothing and made-up articles. Women’s wear, knitwear, and T-shirts were among the product groups with the highest export values. Although value-based declines were recorded across nearly all major product groups, the Turkish ready-to-wear sector’s product diversity, design capability, and ability to rapidly renew collections stand out as significant competitive advantages.
Competitiveness Challenges Deepen, Capabilities Retain Their Strength
The year 2025 was one of the periods in which the loss of competitiveness was felt most acutely by the sector. High interest rates and a suppressed exchange rate policy implemented as part of the fight against high inflation directly affect the ready-to-wear sector, where most costs are denominated in Turkish lira. Nevertheless, companies are striving to balance cost pressures through productivity-enhancing investments, digitalization initiatives, and sustainable production practices. These efforts demonstrate the sector’s capacity for transformation.
Compared to regional competitors such as Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia, Türkiye is becoming a more expensive production base. However, advantages in quality, flexibility, low minimum order quantities, and fast delivery position Türkiye as a preferred manufacturing country, particularly for mid- and upper-segment products. These attributes enable a value-oriented positioning beyond pure price competition.
Employment in the ready-to-wear sector declined to around 510,000 people as of 2025. Together with the textile sector, total employment stands at approximately 860,000. Despite the decline in employment, the sector continues to play a strong social role thanks to its high share of female employment and skilled workforce. The existing human capital emerges as one of the most important pillars of the sector’s recovery potential.
A Strategic Sector with Strong Potential
With its high domestic value-added ratio, advanced production infrastructure, and strong supply chain, the ready-to-wear and garmnet sector maintains its strategic importance for the Turkish economy. Remaining one of Europe’s largest suppliers, the sector carries strong future potential through its transformation capacity and adaptability despite current challenges.
While 2025 has been a challenging year for the Turkish ready-to-wear and garment sector, it also marks a period in which both strengths and structural needs have become clearly visible. If supported by the right policy measures and strong public–private cooperation, the Turkish ready-to-wear sector has the capacity to rebuild its competitiveness and re-enter a path of sustainable, value-added growth.
