The home textile hub of Denizli, Turkey, exports approximately $5 billion annually, with towels accounting for 78% of national exports, bathrobes 66%, and bedding 62%. This data was provided by the local exporters' association during a visit by a delegation from the China National Textile and Apparel Council in June 2025.
For buyers, this means Turkey is not only a core supplier to the EU market but also holds absolute production concentration advantages in specific home textile categories. Denizli's towels, certified by international authorities, are exported to over 120 countries, signaling reliable quality and supply chain stability.
Industrial Hub Visits: From Home Textiles to High-End Fabrics
Denizli is just one part of Turkey's textile industry. The Chinese delegation conducted a six-day intensive tour of three core production regions: Denizli, Izmir, and Istanbul. In Izmir, the Aegean Exporters' Association has 2,000 member companies exporting about $2 billion annually, creating 860,000 jobs, with women accounting for over 45%. The region's garments are mainly exported to Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands, while textile raw materials go to China, Jordan, and Vietnam.
In the high-end fabric sector, Izmir-based SÖKTAŞ produces 6 million meters of fabric annually at an average price of €7.40/meter, serving clients like LVMH, Gucci Group, and Hugo Boss. The company has a fabric archive of over 500,000 designs and has made sustainability a core principle, with a 4.2 MW solar installation raising renewable energy use to 78%. This high-value, low-carbon model aligns closely with China's '15th Five-Year Plan' push for high-end, intelligent, and green development.
Supply Chain Synergies: From Equipment to Branding
Turkey's textile sector has shifted from pure OEM to owning brands. LUFIAN Group, founded in 1995 as a design and production partner for global brands, transformed into a branded retailer in 2005. It now operates over 100 stores in Turkey with annual revenue of about $350 million, spanning 20 countries. Eroglu Group's denim brand Colin's has 600 stores in 23 countries and employs over 5,700 people.
For Chinese textile machinery and fabric suppliers, Turkey's value lies in its nearshoring advantage as a core EU supplier, driving continuous demand for efficient, eco-friendly machinery and high-end fabrics. Kasar Dual Textile, founded in 1965, has built a fully integrated chain from spinning and knitting to dyeing and finishing. Such companies represent specific procurement entry points for equipment upgrades and sustainable material development.
Policy Window and Practical Advice
With 2026 marking the 55th anniversary of China-Turkey diplomatic relations, strategic alignment between the two countries' textile industries is growing. China's '15th Five-Year Plan' direction matches Turkey's strategy for digital, high-value-added, and low-carbon development. Both sides' associations have pledged deeper cooperation in trade, investment, green manufacturing, and digitalization.