Sitting at the crossroads of the EU and Asia, Turkey is the world’s 7th largest textile exporter and the 3rd largest supplier to the EU, serving key markets like Germany, Spain, UK, and the Netherlands. It serves as a key nearshoring hub for EU brands seeking speed, responsiveness, and lower inventory risk. It exports 60% of its apparel production. Major brands sourcing from Turkey include Boss, Inditex, Mango, Bestseller and Primark

Sources: Republic of Türkiye – Clothing, Is Turkey an Emerging Global Sourcing Hub

Turkey is Europe’s largest cotton producer but remains heavily reliant on imports of both cotton and man-made fibres, with particularly high dependence on synthetic raw materials. Main cotton exporting countries to Turkey are the U.S., Uzbekistan, Brazil, Greece, and India. In 2021, it exported $18.3 billion worth of apparel, about 60% of which was cotton-based. The country also contributes 15% of Western Europe’s synthetic fibre output. Turkey’s fabric industry is strongly export-oriented, dominated by woven fabrics (62% of production value) and followed by knitted fabrics (38%), while it ranks as the world’s 5th largest denim exporter.

Turkey’s T&A industry operates on a vertically integrated model, which reduces lead times, ensures raw material security, and supports broad product diversification. This integration positions Turkey as a reliable sourcing alternative for global brands. The sector is dominated by SMEs, enabling both small-batch and large-scale production without the need for long pre-orders. Over time, the industry has shifted from low-value to high-value goods reflecting skilled labor, strong design and tech investment.

Turkey’s textile recycling sector is centered in the Usak and Izmir regions, primarily operating mechanical downcycling units that process pre-consumer waste. While post-industrial waste is efficiently managed, post-consumer waste remains underutilized due to weak collection and recycling systems. Most of the recycled yarn produced is exported.

Spearheaded by İTHİB and TİM, this initiative aligns the sector with the European Green Deal and global sustainability goals. It targets 55% textile waste recycling by 2025 and 65% by 2035, focusing on sustainable sourcing, resource efficiency, circularity, and industry-wide collaboration across 12 action areas including digitalization, financing, and green skills development.

Launched in 2017 by the Turkish Red Crescent, this nationwide initiative promotes waste prevention and sustainable resource use. Backed by the 2019 Zero Waste By-law, it aims to raise textile recycling rates to 35% within five years by building a national collection and recycling system for unused or discarded textiles, including material recovery from used garments.

Offers concessional financing and technical assistance for waste minimization and pollution control in textile production.

Provides favourable loan terms to exporters implementing eco-friendly manufacturing.

It is a national initiative launched by the Business Council for Sustainable Development Turkey and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ( EBRD ) to accelerate the transition to a circular economy model. It offers tools such as a digital marketplace, knowledge hub, measurement and training resources, financial incentives, and consultancy to help businesses develop circular practices and investments.

It sets procedures to minimize the industry’s environmental impact by regulating emissions, discharges, and waste released into air, water, and soil. It promotes cleaner production, efficient use of raw materials and energy, and eco-friendly management practices. The regulation applies to textile facilities with capacities above 10 tons/day engaged in processes such as washing, bleaching, mercerisation, dyeing, printing, and finishing.