Ege Region, one of Turkey’s most dynamic textile and apparel hubs, has once again demonstrated its export strength, with 12 of its firms making it to the prestigious Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) Top 1000 Exporters List for 2025. Despite a year marked by global economic challenges, including recessionary pressures in Europe and unfavorable domestic conditions, the region’s companies have achieved remarkable growth in both textiles and ready-to-wear sectors.
Üniteks Tekstil Climbs to Second Place in Apparel Exports
Leading the success story is İzmir-based Üniteks Tekstil Gıda Sanayi ve Dış Ticaret A.Ş., which advanced three spots from the previous year to secure the position of Turkey’s second-largest apparel exporter. The company ranks 117th overall on the national export leaderboard, further solidifying its industry standing.
Sun Tekstil’s Stellar Growth
Another İzmir giant, Sun Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., posted an 89% surge in exports, reaching $224.3 million in 2024, up from $119 million the year prior. This impressive growth vaulted the company 103 places in the overall ranking to 123rd, and third place within Turkey’s ready-to-wear sector.
Uçak Tekstil and Ekoten Tekstil: Fastest Movers in Textile Exports
Uçak Tekstil Turizm İth. İhr. San. ve Tic. A.Ş., a member of the Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association, became one of the fastest climbers in the TİM list, growing its exports by 126% to $120.7 million. This propelled the company from 549th to 242nd place, while also elevating it to the 5th position in Turkey’s textile and raw materials sector.
Similarly, Ekoten Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. achieved a 79% increase in exports, ascending 424 places to reach 553rd in the overall rankings and 17th in the textiles sector.
Balta Orient: Uşak’s Pride in the Carpet Sector
Balta Orient Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. from Uşak emerged as Turkey’s ninth-largest carpet exporter. The company’s inclusion in the TİM Top 1000 underlines Uşak’s continued prominence in the global carpet market, alongside its position within the Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association.
Denizli Firms Bolster Regional Success
Denizli also contributed to the region’s success with firms like Filidea Tekstil, Sürü Tekstil Konfeksiyon, and Ozanteks Tekstil making the Top 1000 list, reflecting the city’s longstanding textile heritage.
Industry Leaders Applaud Resilience and Future Prospects
Burak Sertbaş, President of the Aegean Ready-to-Wear and Apparel Exporters’ Association, praised the region’s exporters for their resilience. “These achievements are a clear testament that Turkey’s apparel sector is far from declining. The industry’s robust presence in the TİM rankings strengthens our confidence for the future,” Sertbaş remarked.
Looking ahead, Sertbaş emphasized strategic efforts to reverse the sector’s export downturn, announcing Turkey’s national participation with 12 firms at the PV Manufacturing New York Fair on July 15-16, 2025. “We aim to reinvigorate our exports through global fairs, trade missions, and buyer delegations, reinforcing Turkey’s leadership in the apparel industry,” he concluded.
