Home Textile Exports March 2026

MARCH 2026 | www.hometextile.com.tr
T: +90 212 447 49 49
web: www.freedomfabricshouse.com
e-mail: info@freedomfabricshouse.com
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from the editor
Adapting to changing
circumstances
The global business environment has rarely been
as complex as it is today. Ongoing geopolitical
tensions and wars in different parts of the world
have caused significant disruptions for international
trade. For many companies in the home textile sector,
attending international fairs, managing logistics, and
maintaining steady freight operations have become
more challenging than ever. Certain regions are
facing delays, rising costs, and uncertainty that were
almost unimaginable just a few years ago.
Yet, despite these difficulties, life — and business —
continues to move forward.
History has shown us that the most resilient industries
are those that adapt quickly to changing circumstances.
The home textile sector is no exception. While some
companies may respond to uncertainty by reducing
their visibility in the market, others see these moments
as a time to think more strategically and act more boldly.
Cutting promotional budgets or withdrawing from
international fairs may seem like a natural reaction
during uncertain periods. However, for companies
that have the resources and the vision, this may
actually be the moment to do the opposite. Being
present where your competitors are absent,
strengthening brand visibility, and investing in
relationships can generate a lasting advantage.
Crises often reshape markets in unexpected ways. They
open doors for companies that are willing to innovate,
explore new markets, and strengthen their partnerships.
The leaders of tomorrow are often those who recognize
opportunity at the very moment others see only risk.
In challenging times, smart businesses do not simply
wait for stability to return — they build strategies that
allow them to thrive despite the uncertainty. For the
global home textile community, resilience, adaptability,
and forward thinking will continue to define success.
As we move through the year, we remain confident that
the leadership vision, entrepreneurial spirit, and global
connections that define our industry will help it navigate
these turbulent times and emerge even stronger.
Wishing all our readers a productive and inspiring
season ahead.
Mehmet SOZTUTAN
mehmet.soztutan@img.com.tr
Group Chairman
Hüseyin Ferruh IŞIK
Publisher
İSTMAG MAGAZİN
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10
EVENTS
International Istanbul
Furniture Fair (IIFF) concludes
with record attendance,
sends a strong
global power message
The International Istanbul Furniture Fair
(IIFF) 2026 concluded by breaking records,
driven by exceptionally high participation
and the powerful picture it presented. A
total of 132,912 professional visitors—32,145
international and 100,767 domestic—met with
Türkiye’s furniture industry in Istanbul. Yet
what made IIFF 2026 truly significant was
not only the numbers, but the transformation
they signaled. Going beyond the scope of
a traditional trade fair, IIFF once again
demonstrated its role as a strategic platform
where design intersects with production,
culture meets technology, and local strength
converges with global markets.
Ranked among the top three most prestigious
gatherings of the global furniture industry,
the International Istanbul Furniture Fair
(IIFF) 2026 brought together industry
professionals from around the world in
Istanbul. Organized under the coordination
of the Federation of Furniture Associations
(MOSFED) and held simultaneously at the
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

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12
EVENTS
a strategic platform shaping the direction
of global trade. Emphasizing that Türkiye
stands out with its production capacity,
flexibility, and geographical advantages at a
time when global trade balances are being
reshaped, Güleç said:
Istanbul Expo Center and Tüyap Fair and
Congress Center, the fair hosted 3,000
brands and the latest industry collections
across an area of 250,000 square meters,
connecting them with global buyers. With
participation from 156 countries, IIFF 2026
welcomed a total of 132,912 professional
visitors—32,145 international and 100,767
domestic. Industry representatives from a
wide geography, notably Bulgaria, Romania,
Russia, Uzbekistan, Kosovo, Azerbaijan,
Greece, Iraq, and Serbia, helped position
Istanbul as a global hub for furniture trade.
The pulse of global furniture trade beat at IIFF
Evaluating the fair, MOSFED Chairman of
the Board Ahmet Güleç stated that IIFF is
“The International Istanbul Furniture Fair is
a powerful ecosystem where trade, design,
and future vision come together on the same
ground. The gathering of professionals from
156 countries in Istanbul clearly demonstrates
the level Türkiye’s furniture industry has
reached on a global scale. The pulse of the
world furniture trade beat at IIFF.”
Delivering a message on the sector’s
goals, Güleç added:
“The Turkish furniture industry is now a
structure that produces, designs, develops
innovation, and has a strong voice in global
markets simultaneously. Our goal is clear:
to position Türkiye among the world’s top
five furniture exporters. IIFF continues to be
our strongest showcase and most strategic
meeting point on this journey.”
Tüyap Fairs and Exhibitions Inc.
General Manager İlhan Ersözlü stated:
“The International Istanbul Furniture Fair
2026 once again demonstrated Tüyap
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

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guzzi.sahmetal
Guzzi-Şah Metal Perde Aksesuar

14
EVENTS
Fair Group’s organizational strength in
international exhibitions and Türkiye’s
potential in global trade. This major event,
held simultaneously at the Tüyap Fair
and Congress Center and the Istanbul
Expo Center, brought together all industry
stakeholders around a shared vision while
powerfully presenting Türkiye’s furniture
production capacity, design capabilities,
and export strength to the world. With its
specialized furniture fair identity, IIFF has
become one of Europe’s most important fairs.
As Tüyap, we will continue with determination
to position IIFF as one of the most strategic
global meeting points of our industry.”
A wide furniture spectrum
from modern to luxury
Organized under the theme of
“Sustainability,” IIFF 2026 powerfully
showcased the transformation of Türkiye’s
furniture industry by bringing together
environmentally conscious production,
contemporary design, and an export-oriented
vision on a single platform. Welcoming a
broad professional profile—from interior
architects and decorators to chain store
executives, import-export professionals,
hotel purchasing managers, and designers—
the fair stood out with its comprehensive
structure covering all product groups. These
ranged from modern and modular furniture
to luxury collections, office, hotel, and outdoor
furniture, as well as bedding and children’s
and youth room solutions.
With more than 132,000 professional
visitors from over 150 countries and regions,
the fair provided a strong foundation for
new commercial connections, long-term
partnerships, and export agreements
throughout its duration. This robust
participation and international impact
reaffirmed Istanbul’s central role in the
global furniture industry, while IIFF 2026
once again underscored its position as a
strategic meeting point making tangible
contributions to Türkiye’s export targets.
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

Demirtaş Dumlupınar OSB Mahallesi
Mustafa Karaer Caddesi No:13
Osmangazi - BURSA / TÜRKİYE
T: +90 501 318 02 24 | +90 224 261 02 24
web: www.fabertekstil.com
e-mail: info@fabertekstil.com
siparis@fabertekstil.com

20
EVENTS
idd cologne
2026
Cologne’s
premium interior
design event
will continue
in 2026
idd cologne is already set for
another edition that will continue
the momentum from its successful
debut in 2025. On 30 and 31
October 2026, the urban industry
event for exclusive interior design
will once again transform the city
of Cologne into a platform for highend
home living, featuring inspiring
brand presentations and vibrant
design culture celebrated across the
city center. In addition, the event’s
upcoming edition will introduce new
opportunities to showcase products
within Cologne’s exhibition halls.
The new edition of idd cologne will take
place in direct conjunction with ORGATEC
(27 to 30 October 2026) and, together
with the leading international trade fair for
workspace and contract solutions, will form
a high-reach trade fair week for the entire
interior design industry. Koelnmesse is thus
deliberately generating a strong, coordinated
trade fair period with a comprehensive range
of products and services for the worlds of
work and contract, right through to highquality
residential interior design.
This is Koelnmesse’s response to industry
demand for an effective platform for suppliers
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

EVENTS 21
of furnishing solutions and design for working
environments and professionally used spaces,
as well as premium interior design brands for
the consumer market. idd cologne continues
to define itself as an urban event, placing the
city – with its rich diversity of design locations,
showrooms and retail partners – at its heart.
Alexander Caspari
Senior Manager Trade
Fair der idd cologne
hybridID: combining workspace, contract
and high-quality residential design
Under the banner of “hybridID” (hybrid
interior design), companies exhibiting at
ORGATEC can target trade visitors from the
office, contract and public space segments.
The halls 3.2 and 4.2 are reserved for the
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

22
EVENTS
hybridID area. On the last day of the leading
international trade fair for workspace and
contract solutions, the hybridID halls will
open their doors to a wider audience on
Friday afternoon and Saturday under the
idd cologne brand. The offering will then be
aimed specifically at interior professionals
with a focus on private living spaces, as well
as private visitors interested in design.
“The positive response to idd cologne 2025
clearly demonstrated the value of holding
an urban interior design event in Cologne,”
noted Matthias Pollmann, Koelnmesse’s Vice
President Trade Fair Management. “We
experienced how brands and visitors engaged
with the event in a variety of ways – as a source
of inspiration, as a platform for design culture
and as a hub for a community keen to exchange
ideas, discover high-end furnishings and pick up
fresh ideas. And that’s why we have made the
conscious decision to hold idd cologne again in
2026 in the direct context of ORGATEC and to
jointly realize a powerful event for the interior
design and contract industry.”
Spotlight on the residential sector
The upcoming edition of idd cologne will sharpen
its focus, specifically targeting the residential
sector and homing in on high-quality home
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

24
EVENTS
living, interior design trends, materials and
design concepts for private living spaces. The
event will thus appeal equally to professionals
from the interior design industry and private
visitors with an interest in the scene.
Cologne resumes its role as interior design hub
The inaugural interior design days cologne
demonstrated the immense potential of
an urban format for the industry. With 106
participating brands, 16 locations distributed
across the city and around 10,000 registered
visitors, the event’s debut was a resounding
success. These figures confirm that both the
industry and the premium interior design
community have a strong appetite for a
second edition of the trade fair.
The direct succession of ORGATEC and
idd cologne provides a strong design week
in Cologne for the entire interior design
industry: from workspace and contract
topics at ORGATEC to premium residential
experiences at idd cologne. ORGATEC will run
independently from 27 to 30 October 2026
with a clear focus on trade visitors.
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

Hall: 6 / I-08

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e-mail: info@freedomfabricshouse.com

28
PROFILE
By Kaan Collection of drapery
and accessories opens up to beauties
The company offers quality,
originality, and expertise:
it is the address of innovation
in curtains and accessories.
Preparing wrapping up the year with success By
Kaan Collection is ready for another year with
the best motivation driven by the success they
recorded in 2024. We conducted an exclusive
interview with Murat Çağ from the brand. He
outlined their activities and operations:
“With 20 years of experience in the industry and
an 8-year successful journey under our own
brand, we have become a leader in the field of
curtains and curtain accessories. Everything
you need—from rustic designs to custom-made
accessories, curtain fabrics to upholstery and
leather materials—is waiting for you in our store.
Especially our fire-resistant and water-repellent
leather fabrics stand out, backed by certifications
that comply with international quality standards.
“We design over 500 new patterns every year,
and all our accessories are 100% handmade.
This means you are not just purchasing a
product but owning a piece of art.
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

PROFILE 29
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Qatar, the United
States, Iran, Iraq, Moldova, Lithuania, Albania,
Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan.
“Our products bring contemporary designs together
with classic lines. With our custom manufacturing
and personalized design services, we meet the
unique demands of each of our customers. Every
product undergoes a meticulous quality control
process to ensure it is delivered to you flawlessly.
“We are the first choice for everyone who
values quality and originality! Visit our social
media accounts to explore our products and
designs more closely.
“As a company that continues to grow by
meeting new customers and entering new
markets every day, we aim to strengthen our
leading position in the industry in the coming
years by expanding our product range and
making a difference with our quality.”
“Currently, we export to more than 50 countries,
covering a wide geography from the United
States to Central Asia and from Europe to the
Middle East. However, what matters most to us is
that our customers, who experience our quality,
choose to work with us for many years. We have
strong partnerships in countries such as Russia,
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

Head Office : Kemalpaşa Mahallesi Gençtürk Caddesi No:30/B Laleli - İstanbul / TÜRKİYE
Branch Office : Kemalpaşa Mahallesi Gençtürk Caddesi Birlik İş Hanı
No:15 Kat:2 Kapı No:201 Laleli - İstanbul / TÜRKİYE

bykaan_collection
+90 530 175 39 77
by kaan collection
bykaanmurat@hotmail.com

32 INTERVIEW
Competition alarm rings again
in textiles and ready-to-wear
TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe
underlines that the sector
must regain its competitiveness
in the face of shrinking exports,
job losses, and rising costs.
Declining exports put pressure on the sector
and employment
How did 2025 unfold for the textile and
apparel sector? What were the most
frequent issues and expectations raised by
your members?
“Ready-to-wear and textiles are two sectors
that complement each other and cannot be
considered separately. These sectors played a
leading role in opening up Türkiye’s economy
through exports. We are global players in
both fields. However, it would be difficult to
say that things have been going well over the
past three years. The contraction that began
in exports continued throughout 2025. We
closed all of the past 11 months in negative
territory in ready-to-wear, and six out of 11
months in textiles. This year, our 11-month
ready-to-wear exports remained at around
USD 15.5 billion, while textile exports reached
only USD 8.6 billion. Compared to the same
period of 2024, we are down by 6.6 percent in
ready-to-wear and 0.9 percent in textiles.
The contraction in exports is also negatively
affecting employment. While employment in
textiles and ready-to-wear stood at 959,395
at the end of 2024, it declined to 873,198 as
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

INTERVIEW
33
Türkiye’s textile and readyto-wear
sector has been
going through a serious test
in recent years, shaped by
global fluctuations, rising costs,
and increasing difficulties in
accessing finance. Assessing
the current state of the sector,
Türkiye Exporters Assembly
(TİM) Chairman Mustafa Gültepe
emphasizes that both shortterm
support mechanisms and
medium- to long-term structural
transformation steps are of
vital importance. According to
Gültepe, textiles and ready-towear
still hold a strategic position
in Türkiye’s export-led growth
story; however, maintaining this
position requires competitiveness
to be firmly re-established.
of September 2025. This shows that the two
sectors lost 86,000 jobs in just nine months.
From the end of 2022 to September 2025,
total employment losses reached 350,000.
For both textiles and ready-to-wear to
overcome the current bottleneck, we must
create conditions that will allow us to regain
our competitiveness. This requires restoring
the balance between exchange rates and
inflation, increasing the employment support
planned at TRY 3,500 for 2026 to TRY 5,000
and extending it to all companies without
discrimination, providing premium support
for labor-intensive sectors, and reducing
the interest rate on rediscount credits to
15 percent. In addition, raising the foreign
exchange conversion support—currently at 3
percent—to 10 percent for sectors generating
a current surplus would make a significant
contribution to the sector’s recovery.”
Value-added production and access to
finance play a key role
Which structural reforms are needed
to strengthen the sector’s global
competitiveness? What kind of arrangements
should be made regarding export incentives,
Eximbank loans, and KGF supports?
“I tried to summarize the short-term measures
above. In the medium and long term, we need
to focus on productivity, increase valueadded
production by leveraging the power of
design, innovation, and branding, and rapidly
complete the twin transformation.
In addition to these, we should make
greater use of trade diplomacy to work on
arrangements that will allow our exporters
to enter major markets such as the European
Union (EU) and the United States under more
advantageous tariff conditions.
Access to affordable finance is particularly
critical in periods like this. We must develop
financing models that enable access to lowinterest,
long-term credit.”
Low exchange rates and high interest rates
push production costs upward
How do cost structures, exchange rate policies,
and access to finance affect the sector?
“Due to the ‘low exchange rate, high interest
rate’ policy implemented for the past 2.5
years as part of the fight against inflation,
Türkiye has become one of the most
expensive production hubs in the world today.
Our production costs are 60–65 percent
higher than those of our Asian competitors
and 15–20 percent higher than those in
Eastern Europe. These costs will rise even
further as of the beginning of the year, as the
employer cost of a minimum-wage worker
increased to USD 930 on the day the new
minimum wage was announced.”
Türkiye maintains its position as a brand
country in textiles and ready-to-wear
Where do you see Türkiye’s textile and
apparel sector in the coming years?
“I believe that ready-to-wear and textiles—
sectors that pioneered many firsts in Türkiye—
will continue to be important for our economy
in the medium and long term. Based on this
belief, we structure all our game plans and
strategies around our medium- and longterm
goals. Today, Türkiye is a brand country
in both textile and ready-to-wear production.
We stand out from our competitors thanks to
our speed, quality, geographical proximity to a
major market such as Europe, and compliance
with European Union (EU) social standards.
We want to add the twin transformation
to our existing advantages. Both TİM and
our ready-to-wear and textile exporters’
associations see the twin transformation
as a strategic goal. We collaborate with
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

34 INTERVIEW
ministries and universities to support this
transformation. For example, alongside TİM,
the Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association
(İHKİB), where I currently serve as chairman,
launched three new projects this year
focused solely on the twin transformation.
We also completed our three-year
METAMORPHOSIS Project this year. One of
the project’s most significant outcomes, the
İHKİB Digital Transformation Center (DDM),
has been put into service for the sector.
In our EUR 7 million Transition to Green
Economy Project, launched in November
with EU grant support and led by İHKİB,
stakeholders include TİM, the Istanbul Textile
and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association
(İTHİB), the Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical
Products Exporters’ Association (İKMİB), and
the International Transporters’ Association
(UND). Through this 36-month project, we will
strengthen companies’ capacities to measure
and reduce their carbon and water footprints.”
Companies focusing on transformation will
stand out in 2026
What is the most important message you
would like to convey to your members and
sector stakeholders for 2026?
“No matter how challenging the conditions
may be, I have never given in to pessimism. Our
sectors, which have pioneered many firsts in
Türkiye, have successfully overcome numerous
global fluctuations and possess the knowledge
and experience to overcome this period as well.
In the coming period, we will see a
competitive environment where companies
that increase productivity, enhance value
added, and place sustainability at the center
will come to the forefront. For this reason, it is
crucial for companies to keep their mediumand
long-term transformation goals alive.
As TİM and our exporters’ associations,
we will continue to stand by our exporters
throughout this transformation process and
strengthen the sector with guiding projects
and support mechanisms.”
Sector publications play a critical role in
bringing transformation to the field
Is there a message you would like to share
specifically with our readers?
“The textile and ready-to-wear sector is
being rapidly redefined through technology,
sustainability, and technical expertise. This
transformation process holds the potential to
move Türkiye’s production strength toward
a more qualified and more competitive
structure. I believe that publications like
Tekstil & Teknik, which guide the sector, play
a very important role in ensuring that this
transformation is properly understood and
reflected in practice. I think this contribution
will become a lasting reference point shaping
the future of the sector.”
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

İncilipınar Mahallesi 1280 Sokak
Çınar Apartmanı No:11/A Pamukkale / DENİZLİ
T: +90 532 245 77 01 | web: www.sierraotantik.com
e-mail: info@sierraotantik.com | instagram: sierraotantik

40 INTERVIEW
The textile sector clarifies
its roadmap for 2026
After undergoing a challenging test in 2025 marked by rising costs,
exchange rate pressure, and financing difficulties, the textile and
apparel sector is now laying out its expectations for 2026 together
with clear demands and structural solution priorities.
Ahmet Öksüz, Chairman of the Board of the Istanbul Textile Exporters’
Association (İTHİB), offers a comprehensive assessment
of the sector’s recent losses and the steps required for recovery.
The sector’s real agenda after a
challenging year
How did 2025 unfold for the textile and
apparel sector? What were the most
common issues and expectations raised by
your members?
“From the perspective of our textile and
apparel sector, 2025 was a year in which global
and domestic dynamics were simultaneously
challenging. The contraction in global demand,
the slowdown in consumption across our main
export markets—particularly Europe—and
ongoing geopolitical uncertainties placed
significant pressure on our sector. Domestically,
rising labor costs, difficulties in accessing
finance, and the exchange rate lagging
behind inflation substantially weakened the
competitiveness of our companies.
The most frequent feedback we received
from our members centered on the increasing
difficulty of price competition due to rising
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

Towel Production I Bathrobe Production
Hotel Textile Production I Linens Set Production
Akçeşme Mahallesi 2054/3 Sokak A1 No: 3 Pırlanta Sanayi Sitesi, Akçeşme, 20020
Denizli Merkezefendi - Denizli / Türkiye
T: +90 258 252 11 16 | +90 537 565 95 91
www.karagoztextile.com | www.frottierhersteller.de
e-mail: info@karagoztextile.com

42 INTERVIEW
costs, deteriorating cash flow, and financing
conditions becoming unsustainable. Despite
this, many companies continued production
and exports with very low margins—
sometimes even below cost—in order to
avoid losing customers and markets. The
most fundamental expectation was the
implementation of support mechanisms that
would facilitate access to finance, restore
competitive balance, and protect employment
during this transition period.”
Structural steps are essential for
competitiveness
What structural reforms are needed to
enhance the sector’s global competitiveness?
What kind of arrangements should be made
regarding export incentives, Eximbank loans,
and Credit Guarantee Fund (KGF) support?
“In order for the Turkish textile and apparel
sector to sustainably strengthen its global
competitiveness, comprehensive structural
reforms are needed alongside short-term
support measures. First and foremost,
an effective support mechanism must
be established to offset exporters’ cost
burdens, ease exchange rate pressure, and
improve access to finance. In this context,
increasing the foreign exchange conversion
support on a sector-specific basis in line with
the losses experienced, extending repayment
maturities for Eximbank loans, and granting
companies additional time for loan closures
are of critical importance.
In textile and apparel segments where
economic indicators are signaling distress,
the foreign exchange conversion support
should be raised to levels of around 10%,
and the eligibility criteria for benefiting
from this support should be eased. At the
same time, statements made by President
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan regarding higher
support amounts under the Employment
Protection Support Program and enabling
all companies—regardless of SME status—to
benefit from these supports have served
as a significant source of motivation for our
sector. If employment support is provided
at a level equivalent to one quarter of the
minimum wage and employment protection
conditions are made more flexible, our sector
will experience considerable relief.
In the long term, investments focused
on branding, design, technical textiles,
digitalization, and green transformation
should be more strongly supported within the
incentive system. Initiatives that accelerate
the sector’s branding journey—such as
support for brand acquisitions—should also
be implemented. This approach will help shift
competitiveness away from a price-focused
structure toward a value-added model.”
Cost structure, exchange rates, and
financing remain decisive
How do cost structures, exchange rate policy,
and access to finance affect the sector?
“One of the most fundamental challenges our
sector has faced recently is the imbalance
between rising costs and exchange rate
policy. While labor and financing costs have
increased rapidly, the exchange rate trailing
behind inflation has created a serious
competitive disadvantage for exporters. This
situation not only erodes profitability but also
negatively affects production, investment,
and employment decisions.
At the same time, the high-interest-rate
environment and difficulties in accessing
credit further intensify the pressure,
particularly for the textile and apparel sector,
which has high working capital requirements.
Limited access to finance can trigger a chain
reaction that threatens the entire supply
chain. For this reason, restructuring financing
conditions in a way that supports production
and exports is of critical importance for the
sector’s sustainability.”
A strong infrastructure is the sector’s
greatest long-term advantage
Where do you see the Turkish textile and
apparel sector in the coming years?
“Despite all the challenges experienced, the
Turkish textile and apparel sector has strong
potential in the medium and long term. Our
sector has weathered many difficulties, but
it existed yesterday, exists today, and will
continue to exist tomorrow. We are among
the few countries in the world capable of
carrying out all stages of textile and apparel
production in an integrated manner. Our
geographical proximity to Europe, fast
delivery capabilities, flexible production
structure, and high-quality manufacturing
infrastructure are among our key advantages.
In the coming years, our goal is for the
sector to strengthen not only its production
capacity but also its position in branding,
design, technical textiles, and sustainability.
If supported by the right policies, the Turkish
textile sector will evolve from a structure that
competes on price to one that differentiates
itself through value added and brand
strength. With the recovery trend expected
to gain momentum from the second half of
2026, we foresee our sector entering a new
phase of positive momentum.”
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

Asmalıevler Mahallesi Süleyman Demirel Bulvarı No: 19/2 20160 Pamukkale / DENİZLİ
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48 INTERVIEW
Competitive pressure and
the need for transformation
dominate the textile agenda
Pınar Taşdelen Engin,
Chairperson of UTIB,
assesses how the sector
is preparing for 2026
amid rising costs,
exchange rate policies,
and the green transformation.
2025 became a true resilience test
for the sector
How did 2025 unfold for the textile and
apparel sector? What were the most
common issues and expectations voiced by
your members?
“The past year seriously challenged our sector
due to economic fluctuations experienced
both globally and in Türkiye, high inflation,
and cost pressures created by exchange rate
policies. For the Turkish textile and apparel
industry, 2025 almost became a year of
‘stress testing.’ Sluggish global demand and
the economic slowdown in Europe, our main
market, put pressure on our export figures.
One of the biggest challenges facing our
sector today is losing competitiveness in
global markets due to rising costs. The
widening gap between inflation and exchange
rates erodes exporters’ profitability and
weakens our price competitiveness. This
situation makes it particularly difficult for
us to compete with Asian and Egyptian
producers in the European market. The
tendency of European brands to turn to
alternative suppliers stands out as one of the
most critical risks for the period ahead.
Despite these challenges, thanks to the great
efforts of our exporters, UTİB reached exports
of USD 1 billion 272 million 280 thousand last
year, and USD 1 billion 117 million 183 thousand
in the first 11 months of 2025. This picture
clearly shows that, despite all difficulties, the
Turkish textile industry continues to preserve
its production strength and resilience.
• Most frequent complaints from our
members: Inability to maintain competitive
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

INTERVIEW
49
Pınar Taşdelen Engin,
Chairperson of the Board of
the Uludağ Textile Exporters’
Association (UTIB), evaluates
the impact of stagnating global
demand, cost pressures, and
difficulties in accessing finance
on the textile and apparel sector.
Engin underlines that in order
to preserve its competitiveness,
the Turkish textile sector needs
structural reforms, investments in
sustainability, and a predictable
economic environment.
pricing due to rising energy and labor costs,
unfair competition from the Far East, and
shrinking profit margins.
• Expectations: Members most strongly
demanded a reduction in high financing
costs and increased support for green
transformation in order to maintain the
quality of Turkish textiles.
Another major uncertainty is the European
Union’s yet-unclear roadmap regarding the
establishment of a new production hub in the
MENA region. Should such a step be taken, the
risk of Türkiye’s strategic role in the European
textile supply chain weakening remains
significant. Therefore, today it is not enough to
merely defend our current position; we must
urgently implement long-term policies that will
strengthen our trade ties with Europe.”
Staying in the global league requires more
than production
Which structural reforms are needed
to strengthen the sector’s global
competitiveness? What kind of arrangements
should be made regarding export incentives,
Eximbank loans, and KGF supports?
“In order for our sector to remain in the upper
ranks of the global league, it is no longer
sufficient to be merely a ‘production hub’; we
must become a ‘design and technology hub.’
• Structural reforms: Ensuring raw material
security, protecting domestic production,
and accelerating digital customs
applications are essential.
• Financial supports: Eximbank loans should be
made more flexible not only in terms of volume
but also maturity and collateral requirements.
KGF supports should be expanded—
particularly for SME-scale exporters—as a real
‘lifeline’ for technological transformation, tied
to value-added production.”
The exchange rate–interest–finance balance
is the sector’s most fragile point
How do cost structures, exchange rate policies,
and access to finance affect the sector?
“At present, this three-way balance represents
the most sensitive pressure point for our sector.
• Exchange rate policy: Exchange rates
that do not move in parallel with inflation
weaken exporters’ competitiveness. For us,
predictability is even more critical than the
absolute level of the exchange rate.
• Access to finance: High interest rates have
brought investments to a near standstill.
Difficulties in accessing finance cause us to
postpone sustainability investments (such
as solar energy systems and recycling),
which in the long term puts our share in the
EU market at risk.”
The goal: becoming the world’s most reliable
and green supplier
Where do you see Türkiye’s textile and
apparel sector in the coming years?
“Türkiye is moving toward becoming the
world’s ‘most reliable and green’ supplier in
textiles and apparel. In the coming years, I
see us not as a country producing standard
combed cotton fabrics, but as a leader
shaping the fashion world with smart textiles,
technical textiles, and recycled materials.
The ‘Made in Türkiye’ label will become the
strongest symbol of sustainability and quality.”
The message for 2026: Producing is not
enough—making a difference is essential
What is the most important message you
would like to convey to your members and
sector stakeholders for 2026?
“Our primary expectation for 2026 is the rapid
implementation of policies that will strengthen
the competitiveness of our producers.
Aligning exchange rate policies with inflation,
regulating energy and labor costs in a way
that supports producers, and facilitating
access to affordable financing for our SMEs
are all of vital importance for our sector.
In today’s environment of intensifying global
competition, textile companies are developing
strategies to differentiate and stand out by
placing sustainability, digital transformation,
R&D, and innovation at the core. Bursa, with
its deep-rooted textile tradition and strong
infrastructure, plays an important role in this
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

50 INTERVIEW
transformation. Our textile companies
continue to invest in sustainable
production processes to comply
with the European Green Deal and
minimize environmental impacts.
Technologies such as digital printing
systems, which consume less water
and electricity compared to traditional
methods, are being adopted.
Wastewater recycling systems
and energy-efficient machinery
are becoming more widespread.
Sustainable fabrics and eco-designs
are being developed. Roadmaps
for carbon footprint measurement,
reporting, and reduction are being
created. Efforts continue in the areas
of clean production methods and
digital applications for sustainability.
We know that digitalization across all
processes—from production to design—
is one of the key elements that will
enhance the competitiveness of textile
companies, and we have long been
supporting projects and initiatives
in this field. Robotic automation and
data analytics systems are being
used in production processes to
improve efficiency and quality. In
some companies, digital systems
providing real-time traceability enable
optimized production planning. We
foresee the growing use of artificial
intelligence in areas such as AIsupported
defect detection in fabric
and yarn quality control, predictive
analytics, demand forecasting, and
inventory management.
Our work in circular economy,
digitalization, and sustainability—
issues that are now at the center
of the global agenda—continues
without slowing down. Investments
in these areas will increase the
value added of Turkish textiles and
prepare our sector for the future.
As we enter 2026, my message to our
members is this: Producing alone is not
enough—we must make a difference.
In the new era, we must fully integrate
productivity-oriented production,
digitalization, and the circular
economy model into our business
processes. By acting together, we
can turn changes in the global supply
chain into opportunities. There is no
room for pessimism; textiles are in the
DNA of these lands.”
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

www.isatekstil.com.tr

56 INTERVIEW
“The future
of textiles lies
in high-quality
production and
innovation”
İbrahim Burkay, Chairman
of the Board of the Bursa Chamber
of Commerce and Industry (BTSO),
stated that the future of the textile
and apparel sector is being
shaped by technology, innovation,
and value-added production.
Noting that the labor-intensive nature of
textile and apparel has led the sector to
face serious challenges in recent years,
Chairman Burkay emphasized that the
imbalance between high inflation and a low
exchange rate has increased the sector’s
burden, while rising costs and intense
competition from the Far East have placed
additional pressure on the industry. He also
pointed out that shrinking global demand
and growing geopolitical risks have further
complicated this picture, making it inevitable
to reassess traditional production models
under current competitive conditions.
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

INTERVIEW
57
Despite these challenges, Burkay underlined
that there is no reason for pessimism.
“Türkiye has a strong infrastructure in textiles
and apparel, flexible production capabilities,
and significant export experience. However,
the way to preserve this strength lies in highquality
production, innovation, and a shift
toward high value-added fields,” he said.
Burkay highlighted technical, functional, and
sustainable textiles as key areas offering an
important pathway forward for the sector.
BUTEKOM plays a critical role
Chairman Burkay stressed that structural
reforms aimed at strengthening the sector’s
competitiveness are of critical importance,
adding that access to finance, export
incentives, and production-supporting
policies need to be reconsidered in line with
today’s needs. He noted that investments
focused on value added and technological
content will represent the sector’s main area
of momentum in the coming period.
Stating that BTSO stands alongside
companies throughout this transformation
process, Burkay emphasized that the centers of
excellence operating under BUTEKOM provide
strategic contributions to the sector. “From R&D
to testing and prototyping, from certification
to innovative product development,
BUTEKOM plays a vital role in supporting
our companies on their transformation
journey. This structure is a powerful lever
that enhances the value-added production
capacity of our textile sector,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Chairman Burkay
underlined that textiles and apparel are
strategic sectors not only in terms of
exports and employment, but also for the
transformation capacity of Türkiye’s industry,
adding that BTSO will continue its support
and projects in this field with determination.
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

19-22
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60 INTERVIEW
The Aegean
textile sector
prepares
for 2026 with
hard realities
Facing a challenging period
marked by rising costs,
weakening competitiveness, and
employment losses, the textile
and apparel sector is laying
out its expectations for 2026
through clear warnings and calls
for transformation. Jak Eskinazi,
Chairman of the Aegean Textile
and Raw Materials Exporters’
Association (ETHIB) and
Coordinator Chairman of the
Aegean Exporters’ Associations
(EIB), stresses that structural
support is unavoidable if the
sector is to remain viable.
The numbers warn: exports decline as the
cost gap widens
How did 2025 unfold for the textile and
apparel sector? What were the most
common issues and expectations raised by
your members?
“When sector-based export figures are
examined, textile and raw materials exports
in the January–November 2025 period
declined by 1% compared to the same period
of 2024, reaching USD 8.6 billion.
Exports from our region totaled USD 417 million,
representing a 3% increase year on year. Our
year-end target for 2025 was to maintain the
textile export figures achieved by our region in
2024, and on a regional basis, we anticipate
reaching this target by the end of the year.
In the apparel sector, exports that peaked
at around USD 21 billion in 2022 have been
losing ground every year since; in 2025,
we are again facing a picture in which an
additional loss of approximately USD 1 billion
compared to the previous year has persisted.
While industrial exports overall have shown
growth, the declining share of apparel within
total industrial exports reveals a weakening of
the sector’s traditional net exporter strength.
Our net foreign exchange contribution has fallen
by nearly 20% compared to 2022, declining
from USD 19.6 billion to USD 15.7 billion—one of
the most concrete indicators of this pressure.
Our exporters tell us that they are struggling
to compete due to a combination of
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

62 INTERVIEW
weakening global demand and buyer price
pressure on the one hand, and rising domestic
production costs and difficulties in accessing
finance on the other, which have put both the
value and volume of exports under strain.
Increases in energy, labor, and logistics
costs have made Türkiye a more expensive
production base compared to its competitors.
Our sector is around 60% more expensive
than Far Eastern countries and 40–45% more
costly than Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Rising personnel costs and the imbalance
between exchange rate movements and
inflation have pushed the sector into a
financially difficult period, and unfortunately,
2025 has been a year marked by significant
employment losses and business closures.
Difficulties in accessing finance, high interest
rates, and fluctuations in global demand have
created serious obstacles for our exporters.
Our companies need very systematic and
structural support; otherwise, it will be very
difficult for them to remain standing in 2026.
Our companies have begun to shift toward
value-added exports and differentiating
areas such as sustainability and digitalization,
but it should not be forgotten that these also
create additional costs.”
Employment losses and closures carry
pressure into 2026
What structural reforms are needed to
enhance the sector’s global competitiveness?
What kind of arrangements should be made
regarding export incentives, Eximbank loans,
and Credit Guarantee Fund (KGF) support?
“Because the textile sector is among the most
labor-intensive industries, it was unfortunately
one of the sectors where employment losses
were felt most strongly in 2025. By the end
of 2025, the number of employees, capacity
levels, and the number of companies in the
sector had weakened significantly compared
to previous years. Layoffs, company closures,
and the relocation of some production
facilities abroad in the textile and apparel
sectors during the year represent serious
transformation pressures heading into 2026.
The announcement by our President that
employment support per employee will
be increased to TRY 3,500 in 2026 to
encourage employment and support SMEs
is welcome news; however, the sector needs
much stronger support.
In particular, strategic transformation,
technology and value-added growth,
improved macroeconomic conditions,
incentives, and public–private cooperation
can help achieve some degree of
stabilization in 2026. This transformation
can be accelerated through access to
low-interest financing, tax, incentive, and
employment policies, as well as credit support
mechanisms. As an investment policy for
2026, multi-dimensional investment plans
focusing on technical textiles, value-added
R&D, e-exporting, market diversification, and
financing support should be adopted.”
Transformation for competitiveness can no
longer be postponed
How do cost structures, exchange rate policy,
and access to finance affect the sector?
“Unfortunately, the sector is rapidly losing
ground. If high inflation, high interest rates,
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

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64 INTERVIEW
particularly cotton. In 2026, there is a high
probability of a sharp decline in textiles.
For the apparel sector, we have positioned
our year-end 2025 target not around
‘absolute growth’ but around limiting losses
without losing markets and strengthening
value-based exports.
For both sectors, our goal for 2026 is to initiate
a recovery trend in exports by accelerating
investments in value-added production, design
and branding, compliance with sustainable
transformation, and digitalization, on a basis
that restores competitiveness.
However, despite many challenges, our
sector has very strong advantages: a
long-standing export experience, a skilled
and experienced workforce, one of the
largest vertically integrated supply chains,
proximity to main markets, strong design and
innovation capabilities, as well as flexibility
and speed. If we add sector trends such as
sustainability, digitalization and artificial
intelligence, and branding to these strengths,
they will represent important steps toward
the sector’s recovery, even though they
create additional cost pressures.”
and exchange rate pressure continue, the
sector will remain at serious risk due to rising
minimum wages and increasing production
costs, particularly energy costs. Low labor
and production costs in Asia are also among
the significant risks the sector is facing.
For the sector to recover, policies such as
ensuring alignment between exchange rates
and inflation, increasing state support for
exporters, and expanding credit and financing
opportunities must be implemented.”
A strong infrastructure remains the most
important advantage
Where do you see the Turkish textile and
apparel sector in the coming years?
“Our primary target for the textile sector in
2026 will be to maintain 2025 export levels.
Unfortunately, textile exports remained
very limited in 2025, and exports from our
region consisted largely of raw materials,
Message for 2026: the production muscle
must be preserved
What is the most important message you
would like to convey to your members and
sector stakeholders for 2026?
“We view 2026 as the year in which the
outcomes of the Medium-Term Stability
Program should be seen most clearly. We
hope that the bottleneck we experienced in
2023, 2024, and 2025 will ease somewhat
and that interest rates will reach levels that
allow access to finance.
2026 will be a year in which a low dollar
exchange rate is expected to continue.
As in 2025, this will make only a limited
contribution to the competitiveness of our
sectors in 2026 as well.
In 2026, taking steps to comply with the
European Union Green Deal should be
among our priorities.”
“Türkiye has reached a gross domestic
product exceeding USD 1.5 trillion thanks to
the performance of labor-intensive sectors
since the 1980s. If Türkiye is to rank among
the world’s top 10 economies, these sectors
must be supported. Public opinion and
the Government should stand behind our
sectors with this awareness. Türkiye must
not lose its production muscle.”
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

Kemalpaşa Mahallesi
Vidinli Tevfikpaşa Caddesi
Aydın Center No: 9 Daire: 102
Fatih - İSTANBUL / TÜRKİYE
+90 536 560 57 64
+90 545 330 12 76
E-mail
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68
EVENTS
PROPOSTE 2026 highlights
the future of furnishing textiles
From innovation to tradition and from
technical performance to expressive
design, Proposte 2026 is showcasing the
key directions shaping today’s furnishing
textile industry. Exhibitors at the event
reveal a market where functionality,
responsibility, and creativity increasingly
intersect, reflecting evolving expectations
in both design and production.
Performance Remains a Priority
Durability, easy-care features, and flameretardant
properties continue to be
fundamental requirements in furnishing
textiles. At the same time, new innovations
are enhancing comfort and well-being.
Textiles with antibacterial, air-purifying,
acoustic, and even scent-related properties
are gaining attention, transforming fabrics
into active elements that contribute to
healthier and more harmonious living spaces.
Responsible Production Takes Center Stage
Sustainability is another major focus among
exhibitors. The importance of traceability is
increasingly emphasized, alongside growing
interest in natural materials, recycled and
regenerated fibers, and certified raw materials.
The gradual phase-out of PFAS chemicals
and the growing focus on local sourcing also
reflect a more transparent and responsible
production approach within the industry.
Nature Inspires New Collections
Design inspiration at Proposte 2026
strongly draws from nature. Earthy tones,
warm color palettes, and motifs inspired
by flora and rural landscapes appear
prominently in many collections.
Small decorative prints coexist with bolder, more
expressive patterns, often influenced by historical
references that reinforce the connection
between contemporary creativity and the longstanding
heritage of textile producers.
Technology Expands Creative Possibilities
Advances in textile technologies are enabling
designers to push creative boundaries.
Enhanced production techniques allow for
richer textures, complex fabric constructions,
and deeper color intensity.
These innovations encourage designers and
manufacturers to move beyond standardized
collections and develop more customized,
expressive, and distinctive textile solutions.
Hybrid Spaces Shape Textile Design
Another emerging trend is the blurring of
boundaries between indoor and outdoor
textiles. High-performance outdoor fabrics
now offer the same softness and elegance
as interior textiles, while home fabrics
increasingly incorporate technical features
typical of the contract market.
As a result, textiles are being designed for
hybrid spaces, where aesthetics, comfort,
and durability must coexist.
With these trends, Proposte 2026 highlights
how the furnishing textile sector is evolving—
where sustainability, technology, and design
innovation work together to shape the future
of interior and lifestyle fabrics.
HTE HOME TEXTILE EXPORTS
MARCH 2026

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