Turkish Textile Exports Hit $4.7 Billion in H1 2026

Turkey's textile sector posted a historic $4,708,604,000 export revenue in the January‑June 2026 window.

European Union Market Dominance

■$1,807,649,000 revenue to the EU, the top destination.

■Italy leads as the single buyer with $385,836,000.

■The United States ($301,270,000, +23.9%) and Spain ($289,865,000, +11.1%) follow.

Africa and Middle East Expansion

■Exports to African nations rose 4.9%, reaching $764,376,000.

■This regional growth highlights new market opportunities amid global uncertainty.

Product Category Performance

■Fabrics: $2,874,418,000 (largest external sale).

■Yarns: $1,217,683,000.

■Fibers: $616,503,000.

City‑Level Export Leaders

■Istanbul: $1,829,231,000 – top exporter.

■Gaziantep: $779,981,000 – second.

■Bursa: $626,714,000 – third.

■Kahramanmaraş: $375,120,000 – fourth.

Strategic Outlook from Industry Leadership

TİM Sector Council Textile & Raw Materials Representative Ahmet Öksüz emphasized that global uncertainty and geopolitical shifts are reshaping demand. He noted that quality, speed, sustainability, technology, and innovation now outweigh price alone, urging:

■Focus on value‑added production and technical textiles.

■Boost digitalization and R&D investment.

■Elevate sustainability standards.

Forward‑Looking Expectations

Öksüz foresees a "cautiously optimistic" second half, with a gradual global demand recovery and sustained momentum in strategic markets, aiming for a more balanced year‑end performance.

Market participants should view the robust growth of Turkish textile exports, underpinned by regional diversification and rising high‑value product segments, as a compelling investment case. If supported by favorable FX dynamics and global liquidity, equities and related ETFs could benefit from improved price stability and margin expansion, especially given the upward trends in EU and US demand.