The fourth edition of Texhibition is drawing to a close, in an Istanbul kissed by a late summer sun: the first two days have already given a positive picture for an event that continues to grow in numbers.
There were 444 exhibitors, a record number especially in view of the 166 present at the fair’s debut just a year and a half ago. There are obviously no visitor figures yet, but the expectation is to reach 25,000, more or less 5,000 more than a year ago.
The impression is that the number of foreign visitors has also grown: without precluding the Russians and the Moscow market, it is quite easy to hear the Russian idiom around the corridors, but there was no shortage of buyers and visitors from Italy either, arriving by plane from Bologna, Milan and Rome. Not only, but above all, ready-to-wear fashion, with rather important orders: the quality of Turkish textiles is growing, prices remain competitive and the ‘contamination’ with European textiles is now underway, with technicians and salesmen from other countries collaborating or working directly with Turkish companies.
On the other hand, Turkey is one of the few countries that can ensure a complete supply chain, with the vertical and complete production of many companies. There are a total of 20,000 producers in the sector, some of whom are still struggling with the dramatic effects of the earthquake at the beginning of the year.
To date, Turkey is the fifth largest exporter in the world and the second largest for the European market and the fifth largest producer of textiles in the world, especially denim.
Numbers that are then reflected in clothing, where Turkey exports 31 billion dollars a year and is second in the world. On the other hand, the geographical position straddling two continents and with an unlimited catchment area is a very helpful factor.
From Monday the report with the exhibitors’ opinions gathered directly in Istanbul.
