Bursa Textile Mills — Sourcing Premium Fabrics from Turkey's Weaving Capital
Bursa produces 60% of Turkey's woven fabrics. Guide to cotton, technical, and specialty fabrics.
Turkey's textile and raw materials sector closed 2025 with $11.4 billion in exports, ranking fifth globally in textile exports — tied with Italy — behind China, India, the United States, and Germany. At the core of this industry is fabric manufacturing — and at the core of Turkish fabric manufacturing Bursa. Bursa accounts for 60% of Turkey's entire woven fabric production. Istanbul's Çerkezköy and Tekirdağ regions add a significant share of knitted fabric output. Together, these two regions supply apparel manufacturers across Turkey, Europe, and increasingly Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa with fabrics that combine premium raw material sourcing, advanced technical capability, and competitive pricing. Knitted Fabrics — Single Jersey, Double Jersey, Three-Thread Fleece
Turkish knitted fabric production is centred in Bursa and Istanbul's Çerkezköy district. The primary constructions available for wholesale buyers are:
Single Jersey (Kulirka) — The most widely used knitted fabric construction. Lightweight, soft, and breathable — the base fabric for t-shirts, polo shirts, and lightweight casualwear. Available in 100% cotton, cotton-modal, cotton-polyester, and cotton-elastane blends. Weight range: 140–220 g/m².
Double Jersey (Lacoste / Interlock) — Thicker and more stable than single jersey. Used for polo shirts, children's clothing, sportswear, and quality casualwear. Smooth on both sides. Available in cotton, cotton-modal, and technical blends.
Three-Thread Fleece — The base fabric for hoodies, sweatshirts, and outerwear linings. Available in brushed and unbrushed constructions. Cotton and cotton-polyester. Weight range: 280–380 g/m².
MOQ for knitted fabrics: from 500 metres per article. Lead time: 10–15 days. Bursa and Istanbul delivery to European buyers by TIR road freight in 3–5 days.
Technical Fabrics — The Fastest Growing Segment
Turkey's technical fabric sector is one of the most dynamic in global textile manufacturing. Bursa manufacturers are investing heavily in functional fabric production — materials that go far beyond conventional apparel use.
Waterproof & Water-Resistant Fabrics — Laminated and coated constructions with TPU membrane, PU coating, or DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish. Used in outdoor apparel, workwear, sportswear, and protective clothing. CE certified. Windproof options available.
UV Protection Fabrics — UPF 30–50+ rated woven and knitted constructions. Used in swimwear, outdoor apparel, children's clothing, and workwear. Certified to EN 13758.
Anti-Sweat & Moisture Management Fabrics — Moisture-wicking constructions using polyester microfibre, coolmax, and treated cotton blends. Used in sportswear, activewear, and workwear. OEKO-TEX certified.
Anti-Allergenic Fabrics — Silver-ion treated and bamboo-blend constructions with anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic properties. Used in children's clothing, intimate apparel, and medical textiles.
Fire-Resistant Fabrics — Inherently flame-retardant and treated FR constructions certified to EN 11612 and EN 1149. Used in industrial workwear, military applications, and fire protection garments.
Premium Cotton Fabrics — Pima, Supima, and Egyptian Giza
Not all cotton is equal — and Turkish fabric manufacturers work with the world's finest cotton varieties, giving buyers access to premium fabric constructions at prices significantly below equivalent European manufacturing.
Pima Cotton — Grown primarily in Peru and the US Southwest, Pima cotton has extra-long fibres (35–40mm) that produce fabrics with exceptional softness, strength, and resistance to pilling. Pima cotton fabrics are used in premium t-shirts, underwear, and children's clothing where softness and durability are the primary requirements. Turkish manufacturers work with certified Pima cotton from Peru and the USA, producing jersey, interlock, and woven constructions.
Supima Cotton — A trademarked designation for American Pima cotton certified by Supima (Supima Association of America). Extra-long staple, grown exclusively in the USA. Supima fabrics are softer, stronger, and more colour-fast than standard cotton. Used in luxury casualwear, premium underwear, and high-end private label collections. Turkish manufacturers with Supima certification produce finished fabrics for European luxury brands.
Giza Cotton (Egyptian Cotton) — Grown in the Nile Delta, Giza cotton is among the world's most prestigious raw materials. Extra-long and ultra-fine fibres produce fabrics with a natural lustre, exceptional drape, and incomparable softness that deepens with washing. Giza 45 and Giza 87 are the most sought-after grades. Turkish weavers in Bursa produce Giza cotton shirting, poplin, and percale constructions for luxury apparel and bedding manufacturers. A genuine Giza cotton shirt fabric from a Bursa manufacturer competes directly with Italian equivalents at a significantly lower price point.
Geographic Hubs
Bursa — 60% of Turkey's woven fabric production. Cotton, technical, denim selvedge, linen blends, and premium cotton weaves. The city has been a textile centre since the Ottoman silk trade — that tradition of quality is embedded in the manufacturing culture.
Istanbul — Çerkezköy & Tekirdağ — Turkey's primary knitted fabric production region. Single jersey, double jersey, fleece, and technical knits. Fast delivery to Istanbul apparel manufacturers and direct export to Europe.
Certifications
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) · OEKO-TEX Standard 100 · Bluesign · ISO 9001 · Supima certified options · Fair Trade options available.
Export Markets
Turkish textile exports to Africa grew 14% to $1.549 billion in 2025, making Africa the second-largest export market after the EU. Turkey is simultaneously expanding its fabric export presence in Latin America — Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina are growing markets for Turkish technical and premium cotton fabrics. In the USA, Turkish fabric importers are growing year on year as American apparel brands seek China alternatives with stronger sustainability credentials.
MOQ from 500 metres per article. Lead time 10–20 days. Europe 3–5 days road freight. USA 20–25 days sea.
— Oleksandr Peters, Founder & CEO · Trade Istanbul Hub
Oleksandr Peters
"Every manufacturer in our network has been personally vetted by me. I guarantee the quality of each partnership and stand behind every sourcing decision."