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The textile and garment industry is Turkey's largest manufacturing
industry. The industry is also the largest sector in exports. At
the beginning, this sector operated as small workshops. In time,
the sector showed rapid development and during the seventies began
exporting. Currently it is one of the most important sectors in
terms of GDP, employment and exports.
The share of textile and garment industry in the country's GDP is
10.7 % and its share in total employment is 28 %. While its share
of production in total industrial production is 39 %, its share
of production in total manufacturing stands at 47.5 %. The share
of the sector in total exports is 36.7 %.
Turkey has a diversified production in all subs-sectors of the textile
and clothing industry. It produces and exports all types of yarn,
fabric, clothing, household textiles and other ready-made products.
Turkey is a traditional cotton grower. The availability of raw cotton
in huge amounts has encouraged the development of spinning and weaving
industries. In 1999 the estimated amount of cotton yarn produced
was around 788,000 tons and cotton fabric production was
1, 403 million meters.
Turkey also has a strong woolen textile clothing industry as Turkey
is one of the leading producers of wool. It is the third largest
mohair producer in the world.
The man-made fibres industry started in Turkey with the production
of regenerated cellulose in 1938. Currently polyamide, polyester,
acrylic and polypropylene are produced. Most of the raw materials
for synthetic fibres and yarns are produced locally but the main
raw material for acrylic fibres is imported.
Besides the textile industry, home textile industry has also shown
a growth in terms of production and exports. Almost all kinds of
home textiles are produced. These may be listed as follows in order
of their export values: bed linens, bed spreads, table linens, towels,
bathrobes, curtains, blankets, cushions, and pillows. In home textile
sector, besides large scale firms there are many small and medium
sized firms scattered all around the country. In some rural areas
the production of traditional cloth is still widespread. Such cloths
are now being used in the production of specific home textiles.
Besides meeting the domestic demand, the home textile sector is
an important export earner for the country.
The clothing industry has also shown a stable growth within the
years. Production volume in the clothing industry has increased
in parallel to the increase in foreign demand. In 1999 the production
volume of clothing was estimated as 223 000 tons. Approximately
80 % of the clothing exported is cotton clothing. Major products
that are being exported are: knitted jerseys, pullovers, cardigans,
waistcoats, tee-shirts, singlets, other vests, knitted and woven
suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, dresses, skirts, trousers for
women and girls.
Some major markets for Turkish clothing exports are Germany, the
USA, England, France, the Netherlands and the Russian Federation.
While in the past Turkish clothing exporters produced the styles,
patterns given by customers, nowadays the exporters are producing
their own creations. Besides, while most Turkish producers used
to produce their export products with materials sent by the customer,
today almost all of the materials used for export products are obtained
from domestic market.
Despite many problems faced within the most recent years textile
and clothing industry, together with all its sub-sectors, continues
to be one of the most important sectors in the country.
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