Turkiye’s garment shipment earnings experienced a notable downturn in 2025, with export earnings falling 6.7 % to around $15.13 billion over the January–November 2025 period compared with the same interval last year.
Shipments to major purchasing regions, especially within the European Union, showed noticeable softness throughout the year. Tighter consumer spending, delayed orders and reduced buying from key partners contributed to lower sales totals in the clothing export segment. At the same time, manufacturers faced mounting pressure from lower-cost producers in South and Southeast Asia, forcing export prices downward. Bangladesh and Vietnam both expanded their apparel shipments significantly in recent years, underscoring the competitive squeeze on Turkiye’s market share.
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The downturn affected both knitwear and woven garment categories, with traditional dress and formalwear items experiencing sharper contractions than casual apparel. Some producers attempted to diversify into value-added and technical textile products, but overall export volumes remained under pressure throughout much of 2025.
Apparel Export Comparison: Turkiye vs. Bangladesh vs. Vietnam.
Data from early 2025 show that while Turkiye saw export declines to the EU, Vietnam’s shipments to the same region grew, and Bangladesh posted strong increases in both volume and value, particularly in key markets such as North America and Europe. These trends underline how sourcing shifts, competitiveness and market diversification are reshaping apparel export leadership.
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Analysts say that Turkiye needs to pursue new market opportunities and niche segments if it aims to recover lost ground. Innovations in sustainability, faster production cycles and improved trade access could help Turkish manufacturers remain relevant in a market where Asian competitors continue to expand their footprint.
