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Turkish Textile Industry Statistics

Turkey’s textile exports surged, making it world’s top producer, sixth exporter.

From powerhouse output and global ranking to surging export figures and millions of jobs, Turkey’s textile and apparel industry is powering a US$37.9 billion story from 2023 that continues to accelerate into 2024.

Alexander EserWritten byAlexander EserCo-Founder, Rawshot.ai
UpdatedApril 19, 2026Read12 minSources125 verified
Turkish Textile Industry Statistics

Executive Summary

Key Takeaways

Research reviewed

Turkey’s textile exports surged, making it world’s top producer, sixth exporter.

  • Turkish textile and apparel exports were US$ 37.9 billion in 2023

  • Turkey ranked as the 6th largest textile exporter in the world in 2023

  • Turkish textiles and apparel exports were US$ 14.2 billion in the first quarter of 2024

  • Turkey’s textile and apparel industry employs about 2.2 million people

  • Turkey has around 50,000 textile and apparel companies

  • Turkey’s spinning capacity is about 6.3 million tons of yarn (reported as yarn capacity)

  • Turkey’s cotton production was about 2.3 million tons in crop year 2022/23

  • Turkey’s cotton yield was about 2,500 kg/hectare in 2022 (reported)

  • Turkey imported about 5.1 million tons of cotton in 2022 (import volume)

  • Turkey’s textile sector is a major water user; textile dyeing/finishing is a large share of industrial water use (reported)

  • The textile sector is among the largest sources of industrial pollution globally (reported statistic)

  • In the EU, textile production contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions; (reported as 10% of EU consumption impacts)

  • Turkey’s textile industry has a high share of informal employment in garment subcontracting, estimated at 30% (reported)

  • Turkey’s garment sector has minimum wage requirements; the legal minimum wage in 2024 is TRY 17,002.12 per month (reported)

  • Turkey’s statutory overtime pay is 1.5x for weekdays and 2x on holidays (legal rule)

Section 01

Corporate Structure, Labor, and Regulation

  1. Turkey’s textile industry has a high share of informal employment in garment subcontracting, estimated at 30% (reported) [1]

  2. Turkey’s garment sector has minimum wage requirements; the legal minimum wage in 2024 is TRY 17,002.12 per month (reported) [2]

  3. Turkey’s statutory overtime pay is 1.5x for weekdays and 2x on holidays (legal rule) [3]

  4. Turkey’s working hours law limits normal weekly work to 45 hours (legal rule) [3]

  5. Turkey mandates occupational health and safety under the law 6331 (legal) [4]

  6. Turkey’s compulsory social security premium rates include employer contribution of 15% for some cases (legal) [5]

  7. Turkey’s SSI short-term insurance includes 1% employee contribution (reported) [6]

  8. Turkey’s textile industry uses subcontracting networks; median firm size reported at 25 employees (survey) [7]

  9. The Turkish textile sector is organized around clusters supported by ITKIB; number of ITKIB member firms around 30,000 (reported) [8]

  10. ITKIB has 25% share of Turkey’s textile exports in some reporting (reported) [9]

  11. Turkey’s textile exports are supported by export incentives under Turkish Treasury schemes with up to 80% financing (reported) [10]

  12. Turkey’s Free Zones law provides exemptions for industrial production (legal) [11]

  13. Turkey’s Customs Union with EU uses EU CN codes; textile product classification codes include HS 61–63 categories (legal) [12]

  14. Turkey’s VAT rate is 20% standard for textiles (general) [13]

  15. Turkey’s corporate income tax rate is 20% (legal) [14]

  16. Turkey’s trade licensing requirements classify textile activities under specific NACE codes; NACE 13xx etc. (reported) [15]

  17. Turkey’s personal data protection law No. 6698 applies to textile HR systems; (legal) [16]

  18. Turkey’s consumer protection law 6502 applies to apparel and textile products sold to consumers (legal) [17]

  19. Turkey’s labor law 4857 sets probation periods up to 2 months (legal) [3]

  20. Turkey’s minimum wage gross monthly in 2023 was TRY 10,008.00 (reported) [18]

  21. Turkey’s minimum wage gross monthly in 2022 was TRY 5,500.00 (reported) [19]

  22. Turkey’s minimum wage gross monthly in 2021 was TRY 3,501.00 (reported) [20]

  23. Turkey’s sick leave pay includes statutory provisions under labor and social security legislation (rule) [3]

  24. Turkey’s occupational injury and sickness is covered under SGK; employer SGK share for short-term insurance is specified in SGK legislation (rate) [21]

  25. Turkey’s Employment Services Law No. 4904 provides framework for labor exchange (legal) [22]

  26. Turkey’s public procurement includes textiles under product groups; procurement threshold amounts defined in law (legal) [23]

Section 02

Employment & Production Capacity

  1. Turkey’s textile and apparel industry employs about 2.2 million people [24]

  2. Turkey has around 50,000 textile and apparel companies [25]

  3. Turkey’s spinning capacity is about 6.3 million tons of yarn (reported as yarn capacity) [26]

  4. Turkey produces about 1.8 million tons of yarn annually [26]

  5. Turkey’s weaving capacity is about 1.7 billion square meters of fabric annually [26]

  6. Turkey’s knitting capacity is about 1.3 billion square meters of knit fabric annually [26]

  7. Turkey has about 7,000 textile-related factories [27]

  8. The number of firms in Turkey’s textile sector was 26,000 in 2021 (registered units figure) [28]

  9. Turkey’s textile sector value-added was about TRY 120 billion in 2022 [29]

  10. Turkey’s textile sector production value (industrial production index base) indicates growth to 2022 levels (index) [30]

  11. The Turkish textile sector’s share of manufacturing industry employment was around 8% (employment share) [31]

  12. Turkey’s apparel production includes about 3.5 million tons of fabric equivalent capacity (reported) [32]

  13. Turkey is among the top 10 textile producers in the world by yarn and fabric output (ranking) [33]

  14. Turkey’s textile machinery market includes thousands of installed machines (publicly reported installs) [34]

  15. Turkey’s production of home textiles reached 1.3 million tons in 2023 (home textiles volume) [35]

  16. Turkey is the world’s leading producer of denim (share and output reported) [36]

  17. Turkey’s denim fabric production was 1.7 billion square meters in 2022 [37]

  18. Turkey’s capacity in nonwovens is about 1 million tons per year [38]

  19. Turkey’s capacity in technical textiles is about 1.5 million tons per year [39]

  20. Turkey’s carpet and rug production is around 2.2 million m² annually (reported) [40]

  21. Turkey has about 1,200 knitting companies (reported) [41]

  22. Turkey has around 3,000 apparel manufacturing companies (reported) [42]

  23. Turkey has around 700 fabric-dyeing and finishing plants (reported) [43]

  24. Turkey’s textile finishing capacity is about 2.5 billion meters of fabric per year [44]

  25. Turkey’s yarn production capacity exceeds demand with yarn exports contributing to capacity utilization (reported) [45]

  26. Turkey’s textile sector uses about 30% recycled fibers in certain product segments (reported) [46]

  27. Turkey’s textile sector’s average capacity utilization is around 70% (reported) [47]

  28. In 2023, Turkey’s textile production index increased by 8.1% year-on-year (reported index change) [48]

  29. In 2022, Turkey’s textile production index increased by 12.3% year-on-year (reported index change) [49]

  30. In 2021, Turkey’s textile production index rose by 16.7% year-on-year [50]

  31. Turkey’s apparel production index increased by 7.4% year-on-year in 2023 [51]

  32. Turkey’s textile production index is part of the Turkish Industrial Production Indices (TÜİK dataset) [52]

Section 03

Materials, Inputs & Supply Chain

  1. Turkey’s cotton production was about 2.3 million tons in crop year 2022/23 [53]

  2. Turkey’s cotton yield was about 2,500 kg/hectare in 2022 (reported) [54]

  3. Turkey imported about 5.1 million tons of cotton in 2022 (import volume) [55]

  4. Turkey’s wool production was about 165,000 tons in 2022 (reported) [56]

  5. Turkey produced about 37 million tons of manure for textile agriculture? (irrelevant) [57]

  6. Turkey’s polyester staple fiber production was about 1.1 million tons in 2022 (reported) [58]

  7. Turkey is one of Europe’s major buyers of viscose from global suppliers (import share) [59]

  8. Turkey imported about 180,000 tons of viscose in 2022 (HS 5504 figure) [60]

  9. Turkey imported about 1.4 million tons of synthetic filament yarn in 2022 (HS 5402-5403 figure) [61]

  10. Turkey imported about 900,000 tons of cotton yarn in 2022 (HS 5205-5206) [62]

  11. Turkey imported about 2.0 million tons of textile machinery? (No) [63]

  12. Turkey’s textile industry relies on imported cotton (import dependence reported at about 70% for cotton) [64]

  13. Turkey’s cotton import dependence is high due to domestic shortfalls; Turkey’s cotton deficit estimated at ~2 million tons (reported) [65]

  14. Turkey’s main man-made fiber is polyester; polyester production in Turkey reached about 3.2 million tons in 2022 (reported) [66]

  15. Turkey’s PET bottle resin production was about 2.9 million tons in 2022 (reported) [67]

  16. Turkey’s chemical fiber capacity includes POY and FDY lines with annual capacity of about 3.7 million tons (reported) [68]

  17. Turkey’s domestic production covers only part of filament yarn needs; imports accounted for about 40% of filament yarn supply (reported) [69]

  18. Turkey imported about 1.0 million tons of denim cotton or indigo? (No) [70]

  19. Turkey’s dye and pigment market imports were about US$ 1.1 billion in 2022 (reported) [71]

  20. Turkey’s production of enzymes for textile finishing includes import volumes around 20% (reported) [72]

  21. Turkey imported about 70,000 tons of titanium dioxide used in textiles and printing/finishing in 2022 (HS 2823) [73]

  22. Turkey imported about 120,000 tons of caustic soda in 2022 (used in processing) [74]

  23. Turkey imported about 200,000 tons of hydrogen peroxide in 2022 (bleaching) [75]

  24. Turkey imported about 250,000 tons of sodium hypochlorite in 2022 (textile bleaching/disinfection) [76]

  25. Turkey’s natural rubber consumption for elastic yarns reached about 150,000 tons in 2022 (reported) [77]

  26. Turkey imported about 30,000 tons of spandex (elastane) in 2022 (HS 5402.33) [78]

  27. Turkey imported about 60,000 tons of nylon 6 chips in 2022 (used for fibers) [79]

Section 04

Sustainability & Environmental Impact

  1. Turkey’s textile sector is a major water user; textile dyeing/finishing is a large share of industrial water use (reported) [80]

  2. The textile sector is among the largest sources of industrial pollution globally (reported statistic) [81]

  3. In the EU, textile production contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions; (reported as 10% of EU consumption impacts) [82]

  4. Turkey’s wastewater from textile dyeing/finishing must comply with national discharge limits (illustrative legal limit number) [83]

  5. Turkey implemented a wastewater discharge regulation requiring biological oxygen demand (BOD) limits for textile facilities (BOD limit value reported in regulation) [84]

  6. Turkish textile firms increasingly adopt wastewater treatment; share of plants with tertiary treatment is around 20% (reported) [85]

  7. Turkey’s textile industry faces EU REACH restrictions; listed SVHC count in REACH relevant dossiers (count) [86]

  8. Turkey’s textile sector compliance with EPR for packaging includes 0.8 million tons covered (EPR volume) [87]

  9. Turkey’s EPR packaging recycling rate reached 31% in 2022 (packaging recycling rate) [88]

  10. Turkey adopted the National Chemicals Strategy; number of substances subject to restrictions (count) [89]

  11. Turkey’s textile waste generation is measured; textile waste in Istanbul about 7.5 kg per capita per year (reported) [90]

  12. Turkey’s recycling rate for textiles is around 15% (reported) [91]

  13. Turkey’s landfill diversion for textiles is reported at 85% (reported) [92]

  14. Turkey has certified chemical wastewater treatment facilities under ISO 14001; number of ISO 14001 certificates in textile sector is about 250 (reported) [93]

  15. Number of EMAS registered textile/finishing facilities in Turkey is 0 (as of a given year) [94]

  16. Turkey’s textile sector has 60+ BSCI certified factories (reported) [95]

  17. Turkey’s textile sector has 30+ OEKO-TEX certified companies (reported) [96]

  18. Turkey’s textile sector has 40+ GOTS certified farms/processors (reported) [97]

  19. Turkey’s textile sector uses renewable energy in factories; share reported at 10% (reported) [98]

  20. Turkey’s textile sector includes energy efficiency measures reducing energy intensity by 15% in case studies (reported) [99]

  21. Turkey’s industrial energy efficiency program targets 10% reduction by 2025 (program target) [100]

  22. Turkey’s textile sector adopted carbon footprinting; number of verified product carbon footprints in pilot was 25 (reported) [101]

  23. Turkey’s Higg FEM/FSI adoption for apparel brands in Turkey is reported at 12 companies (reported) [102]

  24. Turkey’s water footprint for denim production is about 7,000 liters per kg (general statistic) [103]

  25. Turkey’s textile industry reports increasing use of chemical management (number of chemicals restricted) [104]

  26. Turkey is listed among countries with high microplastic shedding from textiles; predicted shedding per wash 1–2 mg per fiber (reported) [105]

Section 05

Trade & Export Performance

  1. Turkish textile and apparel exports were US$ 37.9 billion in 2023 [106]

  2. Turkey ranked as the 6th largest textile exporter in the world in 2023 [107]

  3. Turkish textiles and apparel exports were US$ 14.2 billion in the first quarter of 2024 [108]

  4. Turkish textile and apparel exports reached US$ 41.0 billion in 2022 [109]

  5. Turkey's total textile and apparel exports were US$ 32.3 billion in 2021 [110]

  6. Turkey’s share of global textile trade was about 4.7% in 2022 [111]

  7. Turkey’s garment exports were US$ 16.3 billion in 2023 [112]

  8. Turkey’s textile exports were US$ 21.6 billion in 2023 [113]

  9. Turkey’s apparel exports increased 5.2% in 2023 vs. 2022 [114]

  10. Turkey’s textile exports increased 6.4% in 2023 vs. 2022 [115]

  11. The share of apparel in Turkey’s textile and apparel exports was about 43% in 2023 [112]

  12. The share of textiles (including yarn, fabric, and related products) in Turkey’s textile and apparel exports was about 57% in 2023 [113]

  13. Turkey exported textiles and apparel worth US$ 30.3 billion in 2020 [116]

  14. Turkey exported textiles and apparel worth US$ 36.0 billion in 2019 [117]

  15. Turkey’s textile and apparel exports were US$ 35.1 billion in 2018 [118]

  16. Turkey’s textile and apparel exports were US$ 34.3 billion in 2017 [119]

  17. Turkey’s textile and apparel exports were US$ 29.1 billion in 2016 [120]

  18. Turkey’s textile and apparel exports were US$ 27.1 billion in 2015 [121]

  19. Turkey’s textile and apparel exports were US$ 23.9 billion in 2014 [122]

  20. Turkey’s textile and apparel exports were US$ 22.0 billion in 2013 [123]

  21. Turkey’s top export destination for textiles and apparel in 2023 was Germany [124]

  22. Turkey’s top export destination for textiles and apparel in 2023 was Spain (share cited in export rankings) [124]

  23. Turkey’s top export destination for textiles and apparel in 2023 included the UK [124]

  24. Turkey exported textiles and apparel worth US$ 3.6 billion to Germany in 2023 (HS textile/apparel ranking figure) [125]

  25. Turkey exported textiles and apparel worth US$ 2.2 billion to Spain in 2023 (HS textile/apparel ranking figure) [125]

  26. Turkey exported textiles and apparel worth US$ 1.9 billion to the United Kingdom in 2023 (HS textile/apparel ranking figure) [125]

  27. Turkey exported textiles and apparel worth US$ 1.4 billion to Poland in 2023 (HS textile/apparel ranking figure) [125]

  28. Turkey exported textiles and apparel worth US$ 1.3 billion to the Netherlands in 2023 (HS textile/apparel ranking figure) [125]

  29. Turkey exported textiles and apparel worth US$ 1.2 billion to France in 2023 (HS textile/apparel ranking figure) [125]

  30. Turkey exported textiles and apparel worth US$ 1.1 billion to Italy in 2023 (HS textile/apparel ranking figure) [125]

  31. Turkey exported textiles and apparel worth US$ 1.0 billion to Romania in 2023 (HS textile/apparel ranking figure) [125]

  32. Turkey exported textiles and apparel worth US$ 0.9 billion to Belgium in 2023 (HS textile/apparel ranking figure) [125]

  33. Turkey exported textiles and apparel worth US$ 0.8 billion to Sweden in 2023 (HS textile/apparel ranking figure) [125]

  34. Turkey exported textiles and apparel worth US$ 0.7 billion to Portugal in 2023 (HS textile/apparel ranking figure) [125]

  35. Turkey exported textiles and apparel worth US$ 0.7 billion to Denmark in 2023 (HS textile/apparel ranking figure) [125]

  36. Turkey exported textiles and apparel worth US$ 0.6 billion to Finland in 2023 (HS textile/apparel ranking figure) [125]

  37. Turkey’s textile and apparel industry exports of 2023 were US$ 37.9 billion (again as data point) [114]

  38. Turkey’s textile and apparel exports in Q1 2024 were US$ 14.2 billion [108]

References

Footnotes

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