ISTANBUL, Türkiye — Türkiye’s textile and ready-to-wear apparel sectors recorded their first simultaneous increase in both the number of companies and employment in nearly four years, signaling the first tangible signs of recovery after a prolonged downturn.

According to April data from the Social Security Institution (SGK), the sectors reversed a downward trend that had persisted since 2022, when rising financing costs, surging labor expenses, weak export demand, and intense international competition led to widespread business closures and job losses.

In the textile industry, the number of registered workplaces increased by 132 in April to 18,480, while employment rose by 6,843 to 349,320 workers. The ready-to-wear apparel sector also posted gains, with the number of companies increasing by 186 to 34,912 and employment rising by 11,056 to 502,304. Altogether, 318 new businesses were established and 17,899 jobs were created during the month.

Despite the improvement, both sectors remain well below their 2022 peak levels following years of contraction. Industry observers view the April figures as an encouraging early indication of stabilization rather than a full recovery.

Export performance also improved in June. Ready-to-wear apparel exports rose 15.1% year-on-year during the month, while textile exports increased 21.8%, helping offset weaker performance earlier in the year. Sector representatives said part of the surge was driven by international buyers temporarily shifting orders to Türkiye following heightened uncertainty stemming from tensions between the United States and Iran. They cautioned, however, that the boost could prove temporary if regional conditions stabilize.

Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök