New trade deal may reverse Turkiye's decline in Qatar's apparel market

In the apparel and textile trade sector, Turkiye is the fifth-largest supplier of apparel to Qatar, albeit with a modest market share. The new trade agreement is expected to bolster Turkiye’s apparel exports to the Gulf nation. From January to August 2024, Qatar’s apparel imports from Turkiye were valued at $37.942 million.

According to Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro, Qatar’s total apparel imports amounted to $491.734 million in the first eight months of 2024. Turkiye held a 7.72 per cent share, ranking as the fifth-largest supplier. The top four suppliers—China, India, Italy, and Bangladesh—accounted for over 61 per cent of Qatar’s total apparel imports.

However, Qatar’s apparel imports from Turkiye decreased by 26.23 per cent compared to $51.431 million during the same period in the previous year. Total apparel imports into Qatar remained relatively stable during this period, amounting to $489.616 million in January-August 2023.

In 2023, Qatar’s total apparel imports stood at $737.197 million, with imports from Turkiye reaching $75.385 million. Turkiye was the fourth-largest supplier, holding a 10.23 per cent market share.

Despite these figures, Turkiye has been losing ground in Qatar’s apparel market in recent years. Qatar imported $139.326 million worth of apparel from Turkiye in 2018, but this figure dropped to $73.287 million in 2019. While it rebounded to $101.860 million in 2020, imports declined to $72.789 million in 2021 and $86.642 million in 2022, according to TexPro.

Qatar primarily imports finished apparel products, with fabric imports being minimal. From January to August 2024, Qatar imported fabric worth just $4.672 million, with Turkiye ranking sixth as a supplier, contributing $0.276 million.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)