Turkish textile industry, reaching a value of 6.8 billion dollars in the first six months of 2022, increased its export value by 9.9% compared to the same period of the previous year. The exports of the sector on the basis of June increased by 8.3% compared to the same month of the previous year and amounted to 1.2 billion dollars according to the data compiled by ITKIB. Türkiye’s general exports increased by 18.5% to reach a value of 23 billion 400 million dollars in June. The share of the textile and raw materials sector, which generated a figure below the increase rate of Türkiye’s general exports, in total exports decreased from 5.9% to 5.4% on an annual basis and from 5.7% to 5.2% in June.
The largest export of textiles and raw materials were made to EU (27) countries with a share of 46.4% in the January-June period of 2022. Exports to this market increased by 9.3% and reached a value of 3.1 billion dollars compared to the same period of the previous year. African countries became the second largest market in the sector with a share of 11.3% in the same period. Exports to this region increased by 25.7% and reached 768 million dollars. Textile exports to Eastern Bloc countries increased by 12.2% to 742 million dollars, while exports to countries in the Americas increased by 12% to 595 million dollars. Textile exports to Asian and Oceania countries decreased by 9.8%, while exports to other European countries outside the EU decreased by 6.7% in the first half of the year.
Turkish textile sector’s export value decreased by 3.9% in quantity
Turkish textile and raw materials sector, showing an increase in exports in the first 6 months of 2022, experienced a decrease in quantity. The exports of the sector decreased by 3.9% and amounted to 1.4 million tons in this period. Textile exports to EU countries increased by 0.6% in quantity and reached 605 thousand tons. The quantity of textile exports to African countries increased by 7.1% and reached 167 thousand tons. The sharpest decrease in quantity was experienced in Asian and Oceania countries. The quantity of textile exports to this region decreased by 40.6% and was recorded as 91 thousand tons.
The biggest market of the Turkish textile industry in the January-June 2022 period was Italy with a share of 9.8%. Textile exports to Italy increased by 23.8% and amounted to 668 million dollars in this period. Germany stood out as the second largest market with a 7.6% share in total textile exports. The sector’s exports to Germany increased by 2.2% and amounted to 514 million dollars. Exports to the USA, the third largest market with a 7% share in textile and raw materials exports, increased by 17.5% and reached 475 million dollars.
Yarn exports increased by 9.5%, while technical textiles exports decreased by 2.6%
Taking into account the product groups that the Turkish textile industry exports the most, it is seen that the leader in the first half of the year is yarns. The exports of the yarn product group, constituting 20.6% of the total textile exports, reached a value of 1.4 billion dollars with an increase of 59.5%. Exports of woven fabrics, ranking second, increased by 24.4% to 1.3 billion dollars. There was a decrease in exports of technical textiles, the shining star of the last two years, in the first 6 months of 2022. Technical textiles, having lost 2.6% in exports, decreased to 1.2 billion dollars.
Home textile products also showed a successful performance in exports and generated 1.1 billion dollars with an increase of 5.2%. Exports of knitted fabrics decreased by 2.5% and reached a value of 1 billion dollars in the same period. On the other hand, the exports of the apparel sub-industry sector increased by 8.5% to 292 million dollars.
Fibre exports increased by 25.5%, Iran becoming the biggest buyer
Fibre exports in the January – June period of 2022 increased by 25.5% and amounted to 593 million dollars. Looking at the details of fibre exports, it is seen that the most important sub-product group is synthetic/man-made fibres with a share of 61.7%. The exports of this product group increased by 41.9% and reached a value of 366 million dollars. The second sub-product group was cotton fibres with a share of 36.5%.
Iran is the largest country market in fibre exports with a share of 11%. Fibre exports to Iran increased by 43% to 65 million dollars. Exports to Italy, the second largest market with a 10% share, increased by 39% and reached a value of 60 million dollars. Fibre exports to EU countries increased by 59% in the first 6 months of the year, reaching a value of 251 million dollars.
The denim fabric segment, which has made significant developments in recent years and strengthened its ties with the fashion industry, has also managed to increase its exports by 25.4% in the first half of 2022 to reach a value of 167 million dollars. Tunisia was the most important country in denim fabric exports with an export value of 41 million dollars and a share of 24.7%. Egypt followed Tunisia with a 15.7% share and an export value of 26 million dollars.
The capacity utilization rate in the manufacturing of textile products in June 2022 decreased by 1.2% compared to May and amounted to 77.6% according to the statement of the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye. Employment created by the textile and ready-to-wear sectors increased by 5.3% compared to the same month of the previous year and reached 1 million and 211 thousand employees in April 2022. The employment contribution of the textile and raw materials sector only was determined as 520 thousand.
Ready-to-wear and apparel exports increased by 14,5%
Türkiye’s ready-to-wear and apparel exports increased by 14.5% in the first six months of 2022 and reached 10.8 billion dollars. The share of the sector in general exports decreased compared to the same period of the previous year and was calculated as 8.6%.
The three largest countries in ready-to-wear exports were ranked as Germany, Spain and England. Exports to Germany amounted to 1.9 billion dollars with an increase of 17.9%, to Spain 1.3 billion dollars with an increase of 11.47% and to England 1 billion dollars with an increase of 11.9% in the first half of the year.
The most exported product group of the sector was knitted clothing and accessories with an increase of 12.3% and a value of 5.2 billion dollars. Woven clothing and accessories, reaching a value of 4 billion dollars with an increase of 19.7%, took second place. The exports of the other ready-made product group, which also includes home textile products and surgical mask product groups, increased by 6.3% to 1.4 billion dollars.