Türkiye Ranks 7th in Global Menswear Exports
Menswear products, which hold a significant place in Türkiye’s ready-to-wear sector, are expected to reach an export volume of $1.9 billion in 2024, accounting for 11% of total ready-to-wear exports. This makes Türkiye the world’s seventh-largest menswear exporter.
The Türkiye Men’s Wear Export Report, prepared by the Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (IHKIB) and covering the 2020-2024 period, details the five-year outlook for the sector. The report focuses on key product groups such as suits, jackets, and shirts for men and boys. Accordingly, Türkiye is projected to achieve a total of $17.9 billion in ready-to-wear exports in 2024, $1.9 billion of which are menswear. While overall ready-to-wear exports contracted by 6.9%, menswear exports finished the year with a 14.6% decline.
Over the last five years, menswear exports were recorded at $1.5 billion in 2020, $1.9 billion in 2021, $2.4 billion in 2022, and $2.3 billion in 2023. By product group, the highest exports were for men and boys, such as woven suits, jackets, and trousers, followed by woven shirts.
The Most Exported Product in Men’s Clothing: Denim Trousers
By looking at product segments, the highest exports in 2024 were in the men’s and boys’ denim trouser category. This group saw $494.3 million in exports, an 11.5% decrease compared to the previous year.
Denim trousers were followed by the following product groups:
Cotton woven shirts: $339.5 million (down 22.4%)
Cotton woven pants and shorts: $303.6 million (down 17.9%)
Other pants and shorts: $157.2 million (down 10.4%)
Synthetic woven shirts: $73.2 million (down 4.4%)
Synthetic fiber jackets and blazers: $70.9 million (down 38.6%)
Synthetic fiber woven suits: $65.1 million (up 441.3%)
Other cotton shorts: $61.7 million (down 9%)
Synthetic suits: $54.4 million (down 26.3%)
Wool or fine-hair suits: $38.4 million (down 23.4%)
The Netherlands Remains Türkiye’s Largest Market
In 2024, the Netherlands was again the country to which Türkiye exported the most menswear. Exports to this country reached $324 million. The Netherlands was followed by the following countries: Germany: $205 million (28.8% decrease), Spain: $154 million (28.8% decrease), France: $132 million, Iraq: $84 million (3.5% increase), USA: $82 million, Denmark: $82 million, UK: $79 million, Kazakhstan: $66 million (7.3% increase), and Italy: $64 million. These top 10 markets accounted for 64.4% of Türkiye’s total menswear exports.
Türkiye Ranks 7th in Men’s Clothing Exports and 28th in Imports
In 2023, menswear imports stood at just $374 million. This made Türkiye the world’s 28th-largest importer. Between 2019 and 2023, Türkiye’s menswear imports increased by 68.6%. The top global menswear exports are as follows: China: $13.4 billion, Bangladesh: $10.2 billion, Vietnam: $4.3 billion, Germany: $4.1 billion, Italy: $3.3 billion, Pakistan: $2.6 billion, and Türkiye: $2.5 billion. Türkiye is followed by India, the Netherlands, and Poland.
Türkiye is Among the Important Suppliers of Germany and France
The world’s largest menswear importers are the USA, Germany, France, Japan and Italy.
US: Imports reached $11.2 billion in 2023. Türkiye’s share of the US market is 1.4%. Türkiye’s exports to the US have increased by 26.1% in the last five years.
Germany: Türkiye ranks second among Germany’s menswear suppliers with a 13.6% share. Türkiye’s exports to Germany are expected to reach $792 million in 2023.
France: Türkiye is France’s third-largest supplier, with an 8.8% share. Türkiye’s exports to France have increased by 21% in the last five years, reaching $270 million in 2023.
Japan: Türkiye ranks 10th; exports $17.7 million.
Italy: Türkiye ranks 9th; exports rise to $116 million in 2023.
The Leading Product in Global Trade: Cotton Woven Trousers and Shorts
The most exported menswear product globally was cotton woven trousers and shorts. This product group accounted for 39% of total menswear exports in 2023. Synthetic woven trousers and shorts followed at 16.3% and cotton woven shirts at 14.3%.
While cotton woven trousers and shorts were China’s largest product group, Bangladesh saw a notable 84.2% increase in exports of woven shirts made of other fibers. Cotton woven trousers and shorts were also the top exports in Germany and Italy.
Men’s Clothing Exports to Reach $1.1 Billion in the First Eight Months of 2025
The Turkish ready-to-wear sector achieved total exports of $11.2 billion between January and August 2025. During the same period, men’s clothing exports reached $1.1 billion. However, this figure represents a 15.1% decrease compared to the same period last year.
Türkiye’s Unit Prices Rival Global Competitors
Türkiye’s export unit price for men’s suits, jackets, and similar products is $21.4 per kilogram. This figure is compared to $19.2 in the US, $31.6 in Germany, $31 in Japan, $33.2 in Italy, and $30.2 in France.
For shirts, Türkiye’s export unit price was set at $28.4, with unit prices in markets like Germany, Italy, and France remaining significantly higher than Türkiye’s.
