What Awaits the Textile Industry in 2026?

In recent years, Türkiye’s textile industry has struggled to achieve the desired level of efficiency, making expectations for 2026 and beyond increasingly important. To gain deeper insight into the future of the sector, we spoke with Mr. Recep Karakaş, Chairman of the Board at Alva Denim, to hear his views and expectations for the coming years.

“Türkiye Is a Textile Country”

Beginning his remarks with an optimistic perspective, Mr. Karakaş emphasized that Türkiye has always been a textile country. He highlighted the sector’s deep-rooted history, dating back to Central Asia, where the tradition of weaving tents and rugs laid the foundation for today’s industry. What started as a cultural craft has now evolved into a major industrial sector spanning the entire country from east to west.

The Main Challenge: Low Profit Margins

Addressing the negative atmosphere created by the sector’s recent contraction, Mr. Karakaş pointed out that profit margins in the textile industry are extremely limited. Without high-volume production followed by strong and consistent sales, rising operational costs can quickly turn into serious challenges.

He also noted that many items which were not considered significant expenses just a few years ago have now become major cost factors for manufacturers. As a result, producers are forced to reduce costs at every stage, from labels and packaging to hangers and auxiliary materials.

Is Egypt the New Route for the Textile Industry?

Commenting on the frequently discussed claim that “the new route of the textile industry will be Egypt and the Middle East,” Mr. Karakaş stated that Türkiye has long maintained a strong advantage over these regions in terms of R&D, investment, skilled labor, and fast supply capabilities.

According to him, the shift toward Egypt is largely a short-term solution adopted by major global brands to reduce costs amid the worldwide economic slowdown, rather than a permanent structural change in the industry.

A Positive Outlook for 2026 and Beyond

Concluding the interview, Mr. Karakaş expressed strong confidence in the future of the sector. He believes that starting from 2026, the denim and textile industries in particular will make a definitive return to their former strength. With its established infrastructure, experience, and production capacity, Türkiye remains well-positioned to reclaim its leading role in global textiles.