Peru’s textile and apparel industry is stepping up efforts to strengthen its competitiveness through technological innovation, market diversification and closer public-private cooperation as businesses confront challenging international market conditions, rising competitive pressures and climate-related disruptions.
The priorities came into focus at the inauguration of the 19th edition of Expotextil Perú 2026 on November 5, where government representatives, industry leaders and international trade stakeholders called for a coordinated strategy to reinforce domestic production capabilities and expand the country’s presence in global textile and apparel markets.
Organised as an international platform connecting the textile and apparel value chain, the four-day exhibition brings together 205 exhibiting companies across 10,000 square metres at the Centro de Exposiciones del Jockey in Lima. Organisers expect more than 20,000 visitors, while the programme includes 36 specialised conferences, three industry discussion sessions and a business networking programme involving 30 international and 80 domestic buyers.
The event comes at a critical moment for the Peruvian industry, which is seeking to build on its established strengths in premium natural fibres and textile manufacturing while addressing structural challenges affecting production costs, export competitiveness and market access.
Export performance highlights both opportunity and vulnerability
Peru’s textile and apparel exports reached US$1.736 billion in 2025, representing approximately 6% growth compared with the previous year, according to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur). A total of 1,721 companies exported textile and apparel products to 111 international markets, including 1,426 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
The United States remained the largest destination, accounting for 50% of exports, followed by the European Union at 9%, Colombia at 7% and Brazil at 5%.
However, the industry’s dependence on the US market also exposes exporters to shifts in trade conditions and consumer demand. According to figures presented by the Executive President of PROMPERÚ, Teresa Mera, textile and apparel exports totalled US$1.116 billion between January and August 2026, with the United States accounting for 48.7% of shipments.
Separate data from the Association of Exporters (ADEX) indicates that Peruvian apparel exports declined by 5.7% year on year during the first eight months of 2026, reaching approximately US$764.1 million. The decline reflects the pressure on apparel exporters amid weaker US demand and higher tariff-related costs.
ADEX has also highlighted the impact of elevated logistics expenses, labour shortages and currency appreciation on exporters’ competitiveness. These pressures are particularly significant for manufacturers competing against large-scale suppliers in Asia and Central America.
The figures underline a central challenge for Peru: maintaining its position in established export markets while reducing its exposure to concentrated demand and improving its ability to compete on cost, quality, flexibility and product differentiation.
Government introduces a textile sector reactivation plan
Against this backdrop, Peru’s Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) has approved a dedicated Plan for the Reactivation of the Textile and Apparel Sector, formalised through Ministerial Resolution No. 00389-2026-PRODUCE on October 31.
The plan establishes four priority areas: improving access to financing; strengthening business capabilities, competitiveness and productivity; expanding micro and small enterprises’ participation in public procurement; and promoting commercialisation and access to new markets.
One of its key components is the proposed development of a credit guarantee programme to improve financing access for textile and apparel businesses, particularly smaller enterprises. The government also aims to generate more than S/335 million in commercial opportunities through public procurement, trade fairs and business matchmaking activities.
In addition, PRODUCE plans to provide training and technical assistance to more than 2,650 micro and small enterprises through the Tu Empresa programme and the network of Technological Innovation and Technology Transfer Centres (CITE).
The scale of the sector makes these interventions significant. According to figures cited by the government, textile and apparel manufacturing accounts for approximately 7.4% of Peru’s manufacturing GDP and generates around 411,000 direct jobs across approximately 47,000 businesses. Micro and small enterprises represent 99.4% of these companies.
The reactivation strategy therefore seeks not only to support export-oriented manufacturers but also to strengthen the wider domestic production ecosystem, where smaller businesses play a central role in employment and industrial activity.
Innovation, sustainability and traceability become strategic priorities
Speaking at the exhibition’s inauguration, PROMPERÚ President Teresa Mera highlighted Peru’s longstanding textile heritage, the quality of its natural fibres, particularly alpaca and cotton, and the capabilities of its manufacturing companies as important foundations for international competitiveness.
She emphasised the need to diversify both export destinations and the country’s product offering through commercial intelligence, specialised trade fairs, business meetings and international trade missions.
Innovation, sustainability and traceability were also identified as essential priorities as international buyers increasingly demand greater transparency and stronger environmental and production standards across supply chains.
For Peruvian manufacturers, these priorities create opportunities to move beyond conventional product competition towards higher-value textile and apparel offerings. The country’s established strengths in alpaca and cotton, combined with investment in modern production technologies, could support greater differentiation in international markets.
The exhibition reflects this broader transition, showcasing machinery, production equipment, fibres, materials, software, automation solutions and technical services alongside domestic manufacturers and sustainable fashion initiatives.
Industry calls for fairer competition and stronger market conditions
Despite the industry’s potential, business leaders have stressed that investment and innovation must be supported by a more competitive operating environment.
Raúl Saba, president of the Textile and Apparel Committee of the National Society of Industries (SNI), identified the effects of the El Niño climate phenomenon, unfair competition, smuggling, product undervaluation and difficult international market conditions as major challenges facing domestic producers.
He stressed the importance of establishing more equitable competitive conditions and implementing timely measures to protect domestic production, particularly among micro and small enterprises.
The concerns reflect wider structural issues affecting Peru’s textile manufacturing base. While the country has developed a reputation for quality products and specialised natural fibres, manufacturers continue to face pressure from international competitors with larger production capacities and more competitive cost structures.
This makes productivity improvements, technological investment and stronger access to international buyers increasingly important for the industry’s long-term development.
Expotextil Perú positions itself as a business and technology platform
Beyond its exhibition activities, Expotextil Perú 2026 is designed to facilitate commercial relationships and knowledge exchange across the textile and apparel supply chain.
The participation of international buyers, domestic manufacturers, technology providers and industry specialists creates opportunities to connect suppliers with potential customers while exposing local businesses to new production technologies and market developments.
For Peru, the wider objective is to translate its established textile heritage into a more competitive, technologically capable and internationally connected industry.
The country’s export performance demonstrates an established presence across multiple markets, but the recent pressure on apparel shipments highlights the importance of improving productivity, strengthening market access and expanding the range of export destinations.
As the industry navigates these challenges, the combination of government support, private-sector investment, innovation and international business cooperation will be central to its ability to build a more resilient textile and apparel value chain.
Expotextil Perú 2026, running through November 8, provides a timely platform for advancing that agenda and connecting Peru’s textile industry with opportunities across the global marketplace.