Newsletters
Twelve Turkish apparel exporters will attend the Premiere Vision Fair in New York on July 15–16 to hold 100 one-on-one meetings with U.S. buyers as part of efforts to push exports to the country toward the $1 billion mark, a sector official said.
Turkish firms—10 from Izmir and two from Istanbul—will end a two-year hiatus by joining the fair to explore partnership opportunities and increase orders, sector representatives from the Aegean Apparel and Apparel Exporters’ Association (EHKIB) said.
The renewed focus comes as higher U.S. tariffs on Chinese textiles open space for alternative suppliers, creating fresh opportunities for Türkiye’s ready-to-wear sector.
Burak Sertbas, Chair of EHKIB, said the U.S. imported $102 billion worth of apparel in 2024, and Türkiye aims to capture at least $1 billion of that market.
He noted that despite challenges such as high production costs and the perception of Türkiye as a high-price sourcing country, the U.S. remains a key growth market.
The industry recorded $856 million in exports to the U.S. in 2024 and expects continued growth this year. The U.S. currently ranks as Türkiye’s sixth-largest export destination for ready-made garments.
Tala Uguz, EHKIB Board Member, also highlighted that exports to the U.S. rose 1% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, reaching $395 million.
Uguz added that Turkish firms plan to hold at least 100 business-to-business meetings with American buyers during the New York fair.
Türkiye’s apparel sector has been facing headwinds due to rising costs and declining orders amid sluggish global demand.
According to official figures, the sector’s export volume fell by over 6.5% to $8.1 billion in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year, yet it still accounted for 6.2% of the country’s total exports.
1 min read
3 min read
