Turkiye's garment industry has finally caught a breath of fresh air amidst the global economic challenges that have dampened export performance for some time. Recent data from Trademap reveal that, while total garment exports for the first half of 2026 experienced a decline, strong growth momentum was observed in June, providing newfound optimism for industry players across the country.

Cumulatively, during the period from January to June 2026, Turkiye's garment exports were recorded at $7.794 billion. This figure represents a 1.78 per cent decline compared to the same period in 2025, which reached $7.934 billion. This contraction encompasses two main categories: knitted and crocheted garments (HS 61), which slipped 0.8 per cent to $4.504 billion, and woven apparel and clothing accessories (HS 62), which fell 3.1 per cent to $3.288 billion.

However, the narrative behind these figures shifted dramatically entering June 2026. Improving overseas demand triggered a significant rebound in outbound shipments, effectively narrowing the cumulative decline recorded earlier in the year. During that month, exports of knitted garments surged by 14.0 per cent to $794.50 million, while woven apparel exports jumped 15.7 per cent to $535.53 million. Combined, exports for these two categories reached $1.330 billion, marking a 14.75 per cent increase compared to June 2025.

The remarkable performance in June stands as the strongest monthly growth throughout 2026 so far. Although this recovery has not yet fully offset the sluggish shipments seen in the opening months of the year, these figures provide a strong indication of building momentum for Turkiye's garment sector. Successfully sustaining this growth trend in the coming months will be a crucial factor for the country to return to positive export growth in the second half of 2026.

This development marks a significant turning point after a challenging 2025 for Turkiye's garment industry. Throughout 2025, total apparel exports had fallen 6.26 per cent to $16.393 billion, pressured by subdued demand across key European markets, cautious inventory management by global brands, and intense price competition from lower-cost sourcing hubs. Following a downward trajectory over the past three years, this June rebound serves as a highly anticipated positive signal for stakeholders looking to restore the competitiveness of Turkiye's garment industry on the global stage.