November 8, 2025 – Istanbul, Turkey
Manufacturing Dynamics in Türkiye’s High-Value Knitwear
Turkey (Türkiye) is a vital global Supplier in the Innerwear and Hosiery sector, distinguishing itself through specialized Manufacturing expertise in Socks (hosiery), Functional Underwear, and Seamless garments. This high-tech knitwear segment is a pillar of the Turkish Textiles industry and a key driver of Exports to high-value markets.
- Hosiery Dominance: Turkey is the second-largest manufacturer of hosiery in the world, with Exports of hosiery and related items amounting to approximately 1.33 billion dollars in 2022.
- Seamless Technology: Turkish Suppliers are leaders in Seamless Manufacturing, utilizing advanced circular knitting machines to produce specialized Functional Products like performance leggings, sports bras, and technical underwear. This technology provides superior comfort and durability, positioning Türkiye at the high-quality end of the athleisure market (Internal Link: Activewear Sourcing: Near-Shore Advantage).
Nearshoring and Trade Compliance
The Innerwear and Hosiery sector is ideally suited for the Nearshoring model, prioritizing speed and ethical Sourcing for major European and North American retailers.
- Speed Advantage: Short lead times of two to four weeks, coupled with efficient Logistics networks, are critical for the fast-moving innerwear and basics market, where rapid replenishment is key to inventory management.
- Quality and Compliance: The use of high-quality Organic Cotton and the mandatory adherence to standards like OEKO-TEX and GOTS ensure that products comply with strict EU safety regulations (Internal Link: Baby and Kids Wear: Organic Cotton Exports). This focus on quality over cost is essential for maintaining Turkey’s competitive edge against lower-cost Asian Suppliers.
- Cost Pressures: The sector’s competitiveness is being eroded by surging domestic production costs, which are 50 to 60 percent higher than in rivals like Vietnam and Bangladesh. This emphasizes the need for brands to view Turkey as a Value-Added, Nearshoring partner rather than a low-cost option.
Investment and Economy Outlook
Foreign Investment in the Turkish apparel Manufacturing base is increasingly channeled into technology and R&D to boost efficiency and offset rising costs. The government is actively exploring new incentives, such as low-interest loans, to revitalize Exports and employment in labor-intensive industries like Textiles.
Turkey / Türkiye’s long-term success in the innerwear sector depends on sustained Investment in high-tech Manufacturing and successful market diversification to manage the structural pressures on the national Economy.
Next Steps for Global Buyers
For global retailers and specialized athleisure brands, Turkey / Türkiye offers the crucial combination of Sourcing reliability, advanced Seamless Manufacturing, and rapid Logistics for high-quality Innerwear and Hosiery.
For expert Sourcing and Manufacturing partnerships specializing in Seamless Knitwear, Hosiery, and Functional Underwear in Turkey, contact the experts at Burc Consulting.
