According to the latest report by ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers), Italian textile machinery exports dropped by 6% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, reaching a total value of €363 million. Imports of textile machinery to Italy also decreased by 3%, with a cumulative value of €92 million.
Among Italy’s main export markets, demand for Italian machinery grew significantly in Pakistan (+73%) and India (+28%). While China remains the largest market for Italian textile machinery, exports to the country saw a decline of 24%.
53% Drop in Exports to Turkey: A Warning Sign for Turkish Textile Sector the most significant decline was recorded in Turkey, where Italian textile machinery exports plummeted by 53%. This sharp drop is widely viewed as a reflection of the deepening crisis in Turkey’s textile industry, an industry that has historically been one of the pillars of the country’s economy and exports.
In recent years, Turkey’s textile sector has been grappling with multiple challenges, including rising production costs, severe currency fluctuations, declining global demand, and pressures from shifting global supply chains. The steep reduction in machinery imports suggests a slowdown in investments in modernizing and upgrading production lines, which could threaten Turkey’s future competitiveness in the global textile market.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and India are rapidly strengthening their positions in global textiles, with significant investments in machinery upgrades and technological innovation. These trends indicate a strategic shift in the global textile supply chain, favoring emerging Asian economies over traditional players like Turkey.
This data should serve as a wake-up call for Turkish policymakers and industry stakeholders to implement supportive measures and encourage investments in production modernization to prevent further decline in one of Turkey’s key industries.
