Smaller garment-producing economies like Myanmar, Thailand and Laos came under intense pressure from steep US tariffs and shifting geopolitics.
Tariff hikes disrupted factory orders, accelerated closures, and threatened livelihoods.
Exporters were left to scramble for alternative markets, push trade negotiations, and rethink supply chains amid rising costs and dependence on China.

Turkiye’s apparel exports declined 6.7 per cent to $15.13 billion in January–November 2025, weighed down by weak European demand and rising competition from Asian suppliers.
Woven apparel saw a sharper fall than knitted goods.
Persistent cost inflation, currency volatility and intensifying rivalry from Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, Egypt and Morocco continue to pressure competitiveness.

India has extended the deadline for its Production Linked Incentive scheme for textiles to March 31, 2026. This move follows a strong response from companies. The government is also organizing a National Textiles Ministers’ Conference in Guwahati on January 8-9.

Seven PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (MITRA) Parks are being established with an estimated project cost of Rs 13,040 crore. Investment MoUs exceeding Rs 27,434 crore have been signed, and infrastructure works worth Rs 2,590.99 crore are underway across all seven states. These parks aim to boost India’s textile competitiveness and global market position.

Sri Lanka’s year-end review 2025 highlights a turbulent year for its apparel-led export economy, dominated by prolonged tariff negotiations with the US and rising domestic pressures.
While successive duty cuts provided partial relief, uncertainty over market access squeezed margins and threatened employment.
Studies warned that tariff-driven cost pressures could put thousands of apparel jobs at risk.

Turkiye’s exports were worth $22.536 billion in November—a 1.3-per cent increase YoY, while imports were worth $30.518 billion—a 2.6-per cent rise YoY, according to provisional official data.
Foreign trade deficit in the month was $7.982 billion—a 6.3-per cent increase YoY.
The main partner country for exports in November was Germany, while the top country for imports was China.

India is preparing for a comprehensive nationwide survey of its vital textile industry. This initiative aims to map key textile hubs and assess the sector’s overall health. The survey will collect data on financial inclusion, production value, worker conditions, and export performance. The findings will provide crucial insights into one of India’s largest employment generators.

The change at the top comes days after the Wall Street Journal reported that the Neiman ‌Marcus parent ‌company is preparing for bankruptcy after missing an interest payment exceeding $100 million on debt from its Neiman ‌merger. Saks Global was created after Saks Fifth Avenue parent Hudson’s Bay Company acquired rival Neiman Marcus, bringing together the two upmarket department store chains to control costs amid uneven demand and better compete with rivals such as Nordstrom and Macy’s ​Bloomingdale’s.

Bangladesh apparel exporters need to absorb about two-fifths of the tariff they may face after the grace period for graduating from the LDC status to export to the EU, according to a recent study.
After 2029, Bangladesh may face 12-per cent tariffs on exports to the EU, while Vietnam, Pakistan and Sri Lanka would face zero tariffs, it noted.
An appreciating currency has been eroding competitiveness.

Sustainable fashion faces a monetisation gap.
While ethical awareness is rising, high costs, price sensitive consumers and limited scale continue to constrain revenues.
Brands that rely solely on sustainability struggle to convert intent into sales, highlighting the need for sharper pricing, stronger design appeal and clearer market specific communication.