Turkish clothing Textile& Apparel Manufacturers Faces Orders Shifting On Coronavirus Fallout

Turkish clothing & textile manufacturers are reportedly dealing with an influx of orders, on the back of the Chinese coronavirus outbreak.

Several fashion retailers that manufacture clothing in coronavirus-hit China, are in talks with Turkish firms about shifting production to Turkey, two-sector officials told Reuters, with one predicting new orders worth up to $2 billion.

An outbreak of the newly-identified coronavirus has killed 3,861 people in mainland China, and 80,735 total confirmed cases, where it is believed to have started, prompting many factories to suspend operations until next week or later as authorities try to contain its spread.

Polish fashion retailer LPP, has said it is in talks with factories in Turkey , Bangladesh and Vietnam. As a backup plan if Chinese production delays continue.

The current situation, Turkish Clothing & textile manufacturers are reportedly dealing with an influx of orders, on the back of the Chinese coronavirus outbreak.

According to the Anadolu Agency, citing the president of the Turkish Clothing Manufacturers’ Association (TGSD). The Turkey textile sector is already running at 85% capacity. While he is expecting 1-2% of the orders lost in China will be relocated to Turkey.

Hadi Karasu said the Turkish clothing sector’s exports stood at $17.7 billion last year. While the figure for China was $173 billion.

Karasu, however, noted the sector does not have a lot of space to receive more orders.

“We expect a 10% rise in our clothing exports,” said Hadi Karasi. But warned the sector could not accept significantly higher orders due to capacity strains.

“Capacity increase is a must. Plus, we should renew the technology and complete digital transformation” he added.

In 2019 total apparel exports for Turkey by value in 2019 edged up 0.4% to $17.7bn.

However, in six of its ten major export markets, Shipment volumes fell. Including it’s largest export markets Germany, the UK and Spain.

Chairman of the Istanbul Apparel Exporters Association (IHKIB) Mustafa Gultepe said he is expecting the country’s exports to hit $19bn this year, up from $17.7bn in 2019. The same target had been set at the end of 2018 for the full year of 2019 but was missed.