Türkiye’s garment industry is developed and is one of Türkiye’s pillar industries. At present, clothing exports account for about one-third of Turkey’s total exports of various products. With its strong industrial scale and competitive prices, Turkish clothing is galloping in the international market and has now become the main competitor of Chinese clothing. Among them, its socks export industry is particularly eye-catching, with exports reaching US$1.1 billion last year.
Foreign media “fibre2fashion” reported on February 12 that according to the latest data released by the Istanbul Textile and Clothing Association (ITKIB), Turkey exported clothing worth US$17.3 billion to 203 countries and regions in 2013, which was more than in 2012. Clothing exports totaled US$16.3 billion, a year-on-year increase of 8.3%. Last year alone, the export volume of socks reached 1.4 billion pairs, with a total value of US$1.1 billion, an increase of 10.5% compared with 1.2 billion pairs in 2012.
It is understood that Germany was Turkey’s main destination for clothing exports in 2013. Turkey exported clothing worth US$3.71 billion to Germany, accounting for 21% of Turkey’s total clothing exports during the same period. The UK remains the second largest destination for Turkish clothing exports, with Turkey exporting US$2.16 billion worth of clothing to the UK in 2013; followed by exports to Spain, which reached US$1.49 billion, and exports to France, which reached US$1.12 billion. billion, exports to the Netherlands reached US$910 million, and exports to Italy reached US$712.51 million.
From the perspective of socks exports alone, the UK is its main exporting country. In 2013, Turkey exported 374.7 million pairs of socks with a total value of US$282.5 million to the UK; Germany ranked second with 303.5 million pairs of socks with a total value of US$235.6 million. France, the Netherlands and Italy followed with US$113 million, US$54.4 million and US$38.5 million respectively. It is reported that Turkish socks exports in 2012 were US$991.8 million, a year-on-year decrease of 6.1% from US$1 billion in 2011.
It is reported that the textile and clothing industry occupies an important position in the Turkish economy. Most of Turkey’s textile and clothing companies are specialized in division of labor production, either simply spinning or weaving, or specializing in knitting or clothing. There are only a few companies with one-stop operation capabilities from textile dyeing and finishing to clothing production. However, in recent years, some large enterprises have united into holding companies, which can form a very strong and complete industrial chain from fiber production to final products, and their product prices are highly competitive. Turkey’s garment industry has maintained its leading position in the country’s export industry. The EU is the largest market for Turkish apparel exports and the main destination with the best export performance.
The reporter learned that although China’s garment industry is very developed, compared with Turkey, China is geographically farther from European countries and the freight is higher; in addition, Turkey’s products exported to EU countries enjoy very preferential taxation in EU countries. treatment, and even tax-free treatment; in addition, Turkey’s textile and clothing industry has the characteristics of sufficient raw materials and cheap labor. These factors have caused Turkish clothing to dominate the EU market and become the main competitor of Chinese clothing.
