The Turkish fashion industry has turned its focus to the US market in a bid to reverse the negative trend in exports that has persisted over the past three years. Aiming to increase its annual exports to the US from $1.2 billion to $1.5 billion, the sector’s first stop in 2026 will be the PV Manufacturing New York. The fair, to be held in New York on 13–14 January, will see the Aegean Apparel and Garment Exporters’ Association (EHKİB) organise Türkiye’s national participation with 12 companies. Of the participating firms, nine are based in İzmir and three in Istanbul. The companies are Akçakaya Tekstil, Beta Konfeksiyon, Betobe Tekstil, Bilsar Tekstil, Demirışık Tekstil, Demoteks Tekstil, DND Tekstil, ERA Tekstil, Fıratteks Tekstil, İYA Tekstil, Merger Tekstil and Seleksiyon Tekstil.
Turkish fashion industry meets US apparel importers
In addition, EHKİB has engaged a PR firm to provide matchmaking services, enabling the 12 participating companies to hold bilateral business meetings with US apparel importers during the PV Manufacturing New York. As part of these efforts, the association aims to conduct close to 100 business meetings over the two-day event to maximise returns from the fair.
Burak Sertbaş, Chair of EHKİB, said they have previously organised national participation at three editions of PV Manufacturing New York and will be taking part for the fourth time this year.
Recalling that US President Donald Trump has announced high customs duties on rival countries such as China, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Pakistan, Sertbaş said: “In recent years, the Turkish apparel industry has struggled to remain price competitive due to rising costs at home and exchange rates lagging behind inflation. Compared with competitors such as China, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Pakistan, as well as Egypt and Portugal, Türkiye has become more expensive. Although import figures in our main export market, the European Union, have moved into positive territory, Türkiye’s exports to the EU have declined. As part of our search for alternative markets, we have put the US on our radar. In line with the Ministry of Trade’s ‘Far Countries Strategy’, we aim, as EHKİB, to ensure regular national participation at the PV Manufacturing New York.”
Targeting an increase in US exports from $1.2 billion to $1.5 billion
Tala Uğuz, a member of the Board of Directors of EHKİB and Chair of its Foreign Markets Committee, said participants at the PV Manufacturing New York are carefully selected by a screening committee, adding that both exhibitor and visitor quality at the event is higher than at other trade fairs.
Noting that the United States is by far the world’s largest apparel importer, Uğuz said: “The US imports more than $100 billion worth of apparel annually. Türkiye’s apparel exports to the US stand at around $1.2 billion. Our target is to increase our exports to the US market to $1.5 billion.”
In addition to organising national participation at the PV Manufacturing New York, EHKİB is also continuing preparations to organise a sectoral trade mission to Los Angeles between 27 April and 1 May 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen its position in the United States.