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Turkey - Textile Machinery Market 2002
Export Potential
U.S. textile machinery exports to Turkey equaled $5.6 million in 2001, a 37% drop when compared with the $8.5 million worth of equipment exported to Turkey the year before. This trend has continued since 1999 and recent export levels remain fairly distant from the 1997 figure of $27.7 million, when Turkey was the 8th largest destination for U.S. textile machinery and equipment. A major factor in the 2001 decrease was undoubtedly the grave Turkish economic crisis, compounded by a worldwide economic sluggishness. Manufacturers in most industries reduced capital equipment spending in 2001, textile producers were no different. That being said, there exist significant opportunities for U.S. textile machinery manufacturers in the Turkish market, particularly as the economy rebounds.
The yarn and fiber production segment of the Turkish textile and apparel industry is particularly robust and could provide U.S. manufacturers of related production equipment with significant export opportunities. Exports of most types of Turkish yarn products have been growing consistently for years, reaching a total value of $724.8 million in 1999, a 13.8% growth from 1998 levels. Total production of yarn and fibers has increased every year since 1997.
Fiber and Yarn Production in Turkey (1000 tons)
Product 1997 1998 1999 2000 Cotton
779 862 855 863 Cotton Yarn 758 796 788 849 Acrylic Fiber 201 193 178 195 Polyamide Fiber 3 1 1 1 Polyester Fiber 91 94 115 125 Polypropylene Fiber 33 34 35 37 Polyamide Yarn 44 44 43 45 Polyester Yarn 187 187 220 230 Polypropylene Yarn 30 29 26 29 Wool Yarn 122 123 115 119 Yarns of Flax, Hemp, Jute 5 4 4 5 Source: Turkish State Planning Commission
The Turkish apparel industry is increasingly manufacturing clothing for major international apparel labels like Banana Republic and Tommy Hilfiger. These labels require high quality, consistency, and speed in production that can only be achieved through investment in sophisticated textile machinery and equipment. As the Turkish market continues to attract international labels, significant export opportunities will arise for U.S. textile machinery suppliers.
Finally, the fledgling Turkish textile machinery industry has been increasing its share in its domestic market. These companies are increasingly looking for foreign partnerships to provide high-end machinery and equipment that they are unable to produces themselves. Many such firms would welcome the opportunity to work with the U.S. textile machinery industry.
Turkey-EU Customs Union
Turkey's entry into the Turkey-EU Customs Union has forced Turkish textile producers to meet the same high quality standards as those established throughout the European Union. This requires the industry to modernize its production capabilities to consistently produce high-quality textiles. The removal of many trade barriers also forces Turkish textile companies to compete with the highly automated textile industries of Western Europe, necessiating large investments in high-end textile production equipment. The need by Turkish textile and apparel manufacturers to purchase sophisticated textile production equipment could be filled by the U.S. textile machinery industry.
This customs union, however, also creates some disadvantages for U.S. textile machinery producers, mainly due to its effect of somewhat enhancing the marketability of European textile machinery in Turkey. The customs union has forced the removal of many trade obstacles formerly faced by European textile machinery manufacturers, obstacles to which U.S. companies are still subjected. As a result, German textile machinery producers managed to more than double their exports to Turkey in the year 2000. Regardless, U.S. textile machinery and equipment sales opportunities in Turkey remain significant, although competition is likely to remain fierce.
- Todd DeLelle, International Trade Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce, March 2002.Contact Us About ITA ITA Site Map FAQs Privacy Statement
U.S.Department of Commerce International Trade Administration