Medellín, Colombia – Colombiatex 2026 : During Colombiatex 2026 in Medellín, Kukrer Tekstil shared its assessment of the Colombian and wider Latin American textile market, highlighting both the region’s strong potential and the structural challenges that currently limit trade development. The insights were shared in an interview conducted by Behnam Ghasemi with Atakan Kükrer, Export Manager at Kukrer Tekstil, on the sidelines of the exhibition.
By Behnam Ghasemi – Editor in Chief at Kohan Textile Journal
Colombia’s Textile Market: Opportunities and Barriers
According to Kükrer, Colombia’s textile and apparel sector offers meaningful growth opportunities, particularly due to its active local manufacturing base and interest in imported fabrics. However, he noted that one of the main obstacles remains limited know-how and willingness among local buyers when it comes to managing imports. While large international brands operating in Colombia handle imports independently and without major issues, smaller and mid-sized buyers often avoid the process altogether.
“This limits the market mainly to a small number of large-volume customers,” Kükrer explained. “However, if fabrics were offered in smaller lot sizes—such as 50, 100, or 200 meters—there would be significant untapped demand in this market.”
Kükrer also commented on the organization of Colombiatex, noting that while Turkey’s national participation area functions well, the overall exhibition layout could be improved. He emphasized the need for clearer segmentation between product groups such as woven fabrics, yarns, and machinery, suggesting that better zoning would enhance visitor experience and business efficiency.
Expanding Opportunities for Natural Fibers
In terms of product demand, Kukrer Tekstil observed a clear preference in Colombia for natural fibers, particularly cotton and linen. Synthetic fibers, especially polyester, attract limited interest. While fibers such as modal and Tencel are currently prominent in Turkey, Kükrer noted that this trend has not yet fully reached the Colombian market, although gradual adoption is expected.
Discussing regional access, Kükrer pointed out that Colombia attracts buyers from across South America, including Peru and Ecuador. However, high import duties—especially on fabrics—remain a serious barrier to broader regional trade. Despite this, he believes that resolving import-related challenges could unlock significant opportunities across the continent.
Founded in 1995, Kukrer Tekstil specializes in woven fabric production and offers a collection of more than 6,500 fabric qualities, including cotton, linen, modal, Tencel, viscose, nylon, bamboo fibers, and specialized blends. The company supplies leading global brands and retailers and maintains active export operations in markets such as Colombia and Thailand, alongside strong domestic wholesale distribution.
Looking ahead, Kükrer expressed confidence in the future of the Turkish textile industry, emphasizing a shift toward high value-added, specialized products rather than basic commodities. “Textiles will never disappear,” he noted. “The geography may change, but as long as we focus on innovation and added value, the industry will remain strong.”
