5-8 FEB, 2025, Istanbul Expo Center
Türkiye, the rising star of the denim apparel export market, boasts top buyers from fashion-leading countries. 70.3% of Türkiye's total denim apparel exports were to EU countries, with Spain and Germany taking the largest shares. Additionally, there has been remarkable growth in denim exports to the USA over the past five years.
The Türkiye Denim Clothing Export Report, prepared by the Istanbul Apparel Exporters' Association (İHKİB) covering the period 2019-2023, reveals Türkiye's potential in denim clothing exports. Despite a decline from $1.8 billion in 2021 to $1.75 billion in 2022 and further to $1.6 billion in 2023, the demands from fashion capitals highlight the sector's potential. Denim clothing products hold a share of 8.5% in Türkiye's total apparel and apparel exports. The most significant exports for Türkiye are denim trousers and shorts for women and girls. In 2023, approximately $1 billion worth of exports were made in this product category, constituting 54.4% of the total denim clothing exports.
72.5% of Denim Exports Go to the EU
Germany, traditionally the largest market for Türkiye's denim clothing exports, yielded its top position to Spain last year. Among the top 10 countries showing an increase in denim exports in 2023 are Spain, Italy, and Poland. European Union countries continue to be the largest and most important market for Türkiye's denim clothing exports, holding a 70.3% share. Looking at the top 15 EU countries with the highest denim exports in 2023, exports decreased in nine countries and increased in seven. During the specified period, Poland recorded the highest increase in exports at 109.4%, while Belgium experienced a 34% decrease.
Export of denim to the USA increased by 54.3%
The USA has become another noteworthy market for Türkiye's denim clothing exports in recent years. Despite a 14.7% drop in 2023, when export data from 2019 to 2023 is reviewed, it can be seen that denim exports to the USA increased by 54.3%. This significant momentum is pushing Turkish denim exporters to focus more on the USA, which is the world's largest denim market.
Fashion capital Italy prefers Turkish-origin denim
Another country that increased its denim clothing imports from Türkiye over the five-year period is Italy, considered the fashion capital. Türkiye's denim exports to Italy showed a 15.9% increase last year and a 2.4% increase over the five-year period. The highest export increase over the five-year period was to Poland at 175%.
Another characteristic of denim clothing is that it consists of more value-added products compared to other product groups. By the end of 2023, Türkiye recorded a unit export price of $15.3/kg in the apparel sector, while this figure rose to $22.6/kg in denim clothing. This indicates a 3.1% increase in unit prices for denim clothing over the five-year period.
