At the ceremony organized by the Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association (İTHİB), companies that stood out with their export performance in 2025 received their awards. The common theme of the speeches delivered at the ceremony was that the strategic importance of domestic production has once again clearly emerged in the face of global fluctuations. Ahmet Öksüz, Chairman of the Board of İTHİB, drew attention to the impact of global stagnation, logistics problems and disruptions in supply chains on the sector, emphasizing that domestic production is no longer a choice but a necessity.
The Strength of the Sector: Integrated Structure and Reliability
Pointing to the strong and integrated production structure of the Turkish textile industry, Öksüz stated that this structure has made Türkiye a strategic production hub on a global scale. At a time when many European brands are unable to obtain even price quotations from Asian markets, Öksüz emphasized that Türkiye stands out with its reliable supplier identity and continues to maintain its position as a “safe haven” in the international market.
A Ceremony with Broad Participation and Strong Representation
The award ceremony, hosted by İTHİB Chairman Ahmet Öksüz, was attended by Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) Chairman Mustafa Gültepe, Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) Chairman Erdal Bahçıvan, Turkish Trade Bank General Manager İlker Yeşil, and many sector representatives. A total of 574 awards were presented at the ceremony.
In his speech at the ceremony, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül stated that exporters have made significant sacrifices both individually and institutionally under current global conditions. Emphasizing that uncertainties experienced worldwide are felt most by exporters, Gül underlined that short-term advantages in unstable markets are not sustainable. He also noted that Türkiye provides confidence to international customers thanks to the continuity of its production and its climate of stability, adding that this will positively reflect on export figures.
Textiles and Apparel: A Cornerstone of the Economy
TİM Chairman Mustafa Gültepe stated that the textile and apparel sectors continue to be one of the cornerstones of the Turkish economy not only with their export figures but also with their production strength, employment capacity and resilience in global competition. Despite cost pressures, shrinking demand and difficulties in accessing finance in recent years, Gültepe noted that exporters have managed to sustain the production chain, emphasizing that each achievement in this period is a concrete indicator of the sector’s resilience.
Highlighting that Türkiye’s fast delivery capability and reliable production infrastructure provide a significant advantage in this period of intensifying global competition, Gültepe stated that the sector will continue to create value in the coming period with its strong capacity for transformation.
Exports Reached 11.4 Billion Dollars Despite Challenging Conditions
Ahmet Öksüz stated that the impact of the global demand contraction that began in the last quarter of 2022 continues, noting that 2025 has been a very challenging year for the sector. Despite rising costs, geopolitical risks and shrinking demand, Öksüz announced that textile exports reached 11.4 billion dollars in 2025, stating that this performance demonstrates the sector’s resilience.
While the EU Contracts, the US Market Gains Momentum
Emphasizing that the contraction in the European Union, the sector’s largest export market, has had a significant impact, Öksüz stated that efforts are being made to maintain market share. Noting that a remarkable momentum has been achieved in the US market, Öksüz said that with exports approaching 800 million dollars in 2025, Türkiye has become the 8th largest supplier to the US.
Stating that the market share has increased from 1.6 percent to 3.2 percent over the last five years, Öksüz noted that the target is to rank among the top five suppliers to the US.
Ahmet Öksüz stated that the current period, often described as a “slowdown,” is in fact a critical threshold where sectors redefine themselves. He emphasized that logistics problems and disruptions in supply chains have once again revealed the importance of domestic production, underlining the necessity of protecting the sector against unfair competition. Drawing attention in particular to the need to prevent abuses in the inward processing regime and to combat origin fraud more effectively, Öksüz stated that the textile sector holds strategic value for Türkiye.
2025 Export Champions Announced
At the ceremony, the companies that stood out with their export performance in 2025 were also announced. The top 10 companies that added value to the sector are listed as follows:
· AK-PA Tekstil İhr. Paz. A.Ş.
· AKSA Akrilik Kimya San. A.Ş.
· Kordsa Teknik Tekstil A.Ş.
· Kipaş Paz. ve Tic. A.Ş.
· FPS Turkey Ambalaj San. ve Tic. A.Ş.
· Teksis Tekstil Ürünleri Pazarlama A.Ş.
· Zorlu Dış Tic. A.Ş.
· Ormo İth. İhr. A.Ş.
· Aydın Teks. Tic. ve Paz. A.Ş.
· DGS Dış Tic. A.Ş.
