Turkish Knitwear and Sweater Products Lead European Fashion
Between 2020 and 2024, Türkiye achieved 11.6 billion dollars in exports of sweaters, pullovers, cardigans, vests, and similar knitted or crocheted garments, with European countries such as Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands standing out as the main destinations.
According to a compilation by an AA correspondent based on the sector analysis report published on the Ministry of Trade’s “e-Kolay İhracat” Platform, the global apparel industry has reached a total value of nearly 1.7 trillion dollars. The sector’s size is projected to rise to 2 trillion dollars by 2029.
Türkiye’s ready-to-wear industry recorded a production value of 24.1 billion dollars in 2023, accounting for approximately 24% of Western Europe’s total. In 2021, Türkiye became the world’s sixth-largest exporter in the sector. In exports of ready-to-wear products to European Union countries, Türkiye ranks 3rd, following China and Bangladesh.
Sweaters, pullovers, cardigans, and vests produced in Türkiye are in high demand, particularly across Europe, influencing fashion trends in the region.
10.5 Billion Dollars of Trade Surplus in Five Years
According to the Turkish Statistical Institute’s (TÜİK) Special Trade System data, Türkiye exported 11.6 billion dollars’ worth of “sweaters, pullovers, cardigans, vests, and similar knitted or crocheted garments” between 2020 and 2024. Imports of these products amounted to 1.1 billion dollars. Thus, Türkiye recorded a trade surplus of 10.5 billion dollars in this product group.
Germany ranked first in Türkiye’s five-year exports of sweaters, pullovers, cardigans, vests, and similar garments, with 2.6 billion dollars. It was followed by Spain with 1.5 billion dollars, the United Kingdom with 1.3 billion dollars, and the Netherlands with 1 billion dollars.
In the first nine months of this year, exports of the same products reached 1.4 billion dollars, while imports stood at 254.2 million dollars. During this period, Türkiye posted a trade surplus of 1.1 billion dollars.
In January–September alone, exports to Germany amounted to 332.6 million dollars, marking Germany as the leading destination once again. During the same period, exports totaled 176.7 million dollars to the United Kingdom, 169.3 million dollars to the Netherlands, and 122.4 million dollars to Spain.
Trade Figures for “Sweaters, Pullovers, Cardigans, Vests and Similar Knitted or Crocheted Garments” (2020–2024)
| Yıllar / Years 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 |
| İhracat/Export (USD) 1.973.600.635 2.585.494.853 2.613.866.730 2.256.283.881 2.165.416.340 |
| İthalat/Import (USD) 117.591.286 138.935.792 234.512.806 279.111.833 351.157.530 |
The countries to which Türkiye exported the highest value of these knitted or crocheted products between 2020 and 2024 were Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
