EU Textile Imports Overview
EU textile imports were significantly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, causing a major shift in global apparel trade. These measures had a direct impact on the textile and apparel industries, causing a significant decline in international demand.
As a result, apparel imports to European Union (EU) member states decreased by 14% in value in 2020 compared to 2019, despite steady growth over the previous decade. Since 2010, EU apparel imports had increased by approximately 24%, showing strong long-term demand before the pandemic.
In 2020, the EU imported €69 billion worth of clothing from non-EU countries, while exports to non-EU markets totaled €30 billion. This represented a 14% decrease in exports compared to 2019. However, over the ten-year period from 2010 to 2020, exports still recorded a 64% overall increase. According to trade data from Eurostat the EU remains one of the largest apparel import markets in the world.
China in EU Textile Imports
China remains the largest supplier of clothing to the European Union. In 2020, EU imports from non-EU countries were distributed as follows:
China: €21 billion (30%)
Bangladesh: €12 billion (17%)
Turkey: €9 billion (12%)
United Kingdom: €4 billion (6%)
India: €3 billion (4%)
Vietnam: €3 billion (4%)
Cambodia: €2 billion (4%)
This data shows that Turkey is one of the EU’s most important apparel suppliers. China continues to dominate EU textile imports with the largest market share.
Turkey in EU Textile Imports
Turkey holds a strong position in the European textile supply chain. Around 12% of all clothing imported into the EU from non-EU countries comes from Turkey, corresponding to approximately €9 billion in annual exports.
This places Turkey among the top apparel suppliers to Europe, following China and Bangladesh. Turkey’s proximity to European markets, flexible production capabilities, and fast delivery times make it a strategic sourcing destination for European brands.
In 2019, EU countries spent approximately €154 billion on textile products. More than half of this amount—around €80 billion (52%)—was spent on imports from non-EU countries, highlighting the importance of external suppliers such as Turkey. Turkey remains one of the strongest suppliers in EU textile imports.
Germany: The Largest Apparel Importer in the EU
In 2020, Germany imported around €17 billion worth of clothing from non-EU countries. This accounted for 25% of total non-EU apparel imports into the EU, making Germany the largest importer in the region.
Germany was followed by:
Spain: €10 billion (15%)
France: nearly €10 billion (14%)
Italy: The Leading EU Apparel Exporter
Among EU member states, Italy was the largest exporter of clothing to non-EU markets in 2020, with exports valued at approximately €10 billion. This represented 33% of total EU apparel exports to non-EU countries.
Other major exporting countries included:
Germany: €5 billion (17%)
Spain: €4 billion (14%)
France: nearly €4 billion (13%)
EU Textile Export Trends
Although EU countries are significant apparel exporters, their import volumes remain much higher than exports. Germany and Italy are the two leading exporters within the EU.
Italy: 34% of non-EU apparel exports
Germany: 16% of non-EU apparel exports
This trade structure demonstrates the EU’s continued reliance on external textile suppliers. EU textile imports continue to shape global apparel sourcing strategies.
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