The 2024–2025 foreign trade data of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) reveal not only a slowdown in the textile machinery sector but also a clear shift in investment behavior. The 2025 foreign trade data for textile machinery show that the investment trend in the sector has changed direction. Total imports, which amounted to USD 1.464 billion in 2024, declined by 19.3% in 2025 to USD 1.181 billion. This contraction of approximately USD 283 million indicates a significant slowdown in textile machinery investments. During the same period, exports increased by 9.6%, rising from USD 972.6 million to USD 1.065 billion. However, when the details of the figures are examined, the picture tells a much more layered story.
Decline of 40% in Fibre and Texturing Machinery
Under HS code 8444 are machines for manufacturing fibres for textile materials, weaving and cutting, as well as machines used for drawing and texturing synthetic or artificial materials. In this category, imports, which stood at USD 152.7 million in 2024, declined by 40.2% in 2025 to USD 91.3 million. The contraction in this segment indicates that investment has slowed significantly in this group.
On the supply side, the largest share of imports in 2025 came from China, followed by Germany and India in the top three positions. In other words, although imports decreased, the “China–Europe–Asia” balance in the supply structure has been maintained. On the export side, the decline was even sharper: exports, which were USD 10.1 million in 2024, fell by 60.7% in 2025 to USD 4.0 million. Among the leading export markets in this category are Belgium, Uzbekistan and Egypt.
Sharp 41% Decline in Yarn Preparation and Production Machinery
HS code 8445 covers machinery for yarn preparation, spinning and yarn production. This category is one of the fastest indicators of the “investment reflex” in the textile production chain. Imports, which stood at USD 382.9 million in 2024, declined by 41% in 2025 to USD 225.8 million. The approximately USD 157 million decrease became the main driver of the overall contraction in imports.
In 2025, the largest suppliers in this category were China and Germany, with India ranking third. There was also a decline on the export side: exports, which were USD 48.6 million in 2024, fell by 27.5% in 2025 to USD 35.3 million. Nevertheless, the growing visibility of countries such as Egypt, Pakistan and Bangladesh, where textile investments have accelerated, stands out as a noteworthy detail in terms of market direction.
Imports of Weaving Machinery Declined by 21%, Exports Increased by 38%
Under HS code 8446 are weaving looms. This category is one of the investment items that plays a direct role particularly in increasing fabric production capacity.
In this machinery group, imports, which were USD 133.7 million in 2024, declined by 21.4% in 2025 to USD 105 million. A clear slowdown in weaving investments in the domestic market is observed. On the supply side, the largest share of imports in 2025 came from Belgium, followed by Germany and Italy among the top three countries. On the export side, however, a different picture emerges. Exports, which were USD 28 million in 2024, increased by 38.3% in 2025 to USD 38.8 million. Among the leading export markets are India, Pakistan, Iran and Egypt. This distribution indicates that weaving capacity continues to expand particularly in South Asia and the Middle East.
Similar Trend in Knitting Machinery
HS code 8447 covers knitting machines. In this category, imports, which stood at USD 134.6 million in 2024, declined by 22.3% in 2025 to USD 104.6 million. In 2025, China accounted for the largest share of imports, followed by Germany, Japan and Italy.
On the export side, growth is observed. Exports, which were USD 19.4 million in 2024, increased by 35.4% in 2025 to USD 26.2 million. In this category, Egypt, India, Pakistan and Jordan stand out among export markets. The common picture in weaving and knitting machinery is clear: investment is slowing domestically, while orientation toward developing textile countries is increasing in foreign markets.
Decline of 19% in Auxiliary Components and Parts
HS code 8448 covers auxiliary components and parts for weaving and knitting machines. In this category, imports, which were USD 187.1 million in 2024, declined by 19.5% in 2025 to USD 150.7 million. In 2025, China, Germany, the Czech Republic, India and Italy ranked among the leading supplier countries.
Exports, which were USD 53.7 million in 2024, declined by 4.1% in 2025 to USD 51.5 million. Uzbekistan, Egypt, Russia and Pakistan were among the leading export markets. This category suggests that investment has not completely stopped; however, it may have shifted toward spare parts and modernization.
113% Surge in Nonwoven Machinery
Under HS code 8449 are machinery for felt and nonwoven fabrics. In this category, imports, which were USD 34.2 million in 2024, increased by 113.3% in 2025 to USD 73 million. In 2025, China was by far the leading supplier, followed by France and Italy.
Exports increased from USD 1 million to USD 3.2 million. Although limited in volume, this category became the fastest-growing segment of 2025. This momentum in the nonwoven segment indicates that investments in technical and functional textile products continue.
81% of Exports Came from a Single Category
HS code 8451 covers machinery used for washing, dyeing, finishing, drying and similar processes for textile products. In this category, imports, which were USD 335.8 million in 2024, increased by 5.5% in 2025 to USD 354.1 million. In 2025, Poland held the largest share of imports, while China, Italy and Germany were other major suppliers.
On the export side, strong growth continues. Exports, which were USD 774.7 million in 2024, increased by 11.8% in 2025 to USD 865.9 million. This category alone constituted the majority of total exports. Egypt, Russia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and India stood out among the leading export markets.
Imports of Sewing Machinery Declined by 26%, Exports Increased
Under HS code 8452 are industrial sewing machines and their components and parts. This category is an important indicator reflecting the investment reflex of garment and ready-to-wear production. In this machinery group, imports, which were USD 103.6 million in 2024, declined by 25.9% in 2025 to USD 76.8 million. A slowdown in new capacity investments in the garment segment is observed.
On the other hand, exports increased. Exports, which were USD 37.0 million in 2024, rose by 10.7% in 2025 to USD 41.0 million. The simultaneous decline in imports and increase in exports indicates that domestic investment has slowed in this category, while sales continue particularly to developing production centers abroad.
Background of the Increase in Exports
Surpassing the USD 1 billion level in exports is an important threshold. However, sector evaluations indicate that not all of this increase stems from new machinery production. It is stated that part of the machinery park from textile enterprises that have reduced production or completely ceased operations has been directed to investors in countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Egypt.
These countries are also among the prominent markets in Turkey’s machinery exports. Therefore, it is considered that part of the increase in exports may have resulted from second-hand machinery sales.
Geographic Shift or Temporary Brake?
The 2025 data show that China and Germany maintain their weight on the supply side, while the Middle East and South Asia markets are gaining strength on the export side. The sharp decline in imports, particularly the contraction in yarn machinery, and the prominence of the Pakistan–Bangladesh–Egypt axis in exports indicate not only a slowdown in investment but also a possible shift in the geography of production.
What Do the Figures Say, Where Is the Sector Heading?
The 2025 data may produce positive headlines such as “export increase” and “narrowing deficit” on the surface. However, when machinery categories and country distribution are evaluated together, the picture requires a more cautious interpretation. The 41% sharp contraction in yarn machinery shows that capacity expansion investments have nearly come to a standstill. This is not merely a decline in one machinery group; it is a sign that the main production link of the textile chain has applied the brakes.
The decline in imports of weaving and knitting machinery confirms that investment appetite has weakened in the domestic market. In contrast, the direction of exports toward countries with lower production costs such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Egypt indicates a regional redistribution of production capacity.
Surpassing the USD 1 billion export threshold is undoubtedly important. However, the question of how much of this increase stems from new machinery production and how much from the transfer of second-hand machinery parks clearly remains on the table. If a significant portion of the increase in exports consists of machinery sales from shrinking or closing enterprises domestically, this would not represent “strengthening,” but rather a relocation of production infrastructure.
While China and Germany maintain their weight on the supply side, the prominence of South Asia and the Middle East in exports shows that the direction of the machinery park and investment is changing. The 2025 data indicate that the textile machinery sector is experiencing not growth, but a period of repositioning and defense. The main determining question for the coming period will be this: Is this a temporary investment brake, or the beginning of a permanent geographic shift in textile production? The future of the sector will be shaped by the answer to this question.
