At a time when the trade fair calendar is subject to almost constant change, whether due to strategic choices or “obligations” such as the Olympics, Texhibition confirms the September-March combination, although alternatives could be considered for the latter month.
Ithib, the association that organises the Istanbul event, is continuing on its path and watching “from the window” what is happening elsewhere, namely in Paris or Munich, but also in London: “September is the right month for us (the next edition will be from the 9th to the 11th, ed.) and for our companies, July is not” says Zekeriya Tanriverdi, a member of the board, adding: “We don’t want to change the March date either, even though February would be just as good. But that is already a month full of trade fairs in Europe, and the availability of space in the exhibition centre is also limited”.
These decisions were made at a time when the Turkish textile and clothing industry is facing difficult figures: clothing exports fell by 7.3% in 2025 compared to 2024, fabric exports by 0.8%, and worst of all, the comparison between January 2026 and January 2025 shows a decline of 3.3% and 5.8% respectively. These negative percentages are common, and in some cases even less severe, in other leading sectors of the Turkish economy, such as steel, furniture and jewellery.
While awaiting the figures for the ninth edition of the fair, which closes today with a third day still affected by Ramadan, Ithib is promoting a motto that aims to highlight the sector’s growth in terms of expertise, perhaps also to distance itself from new African competitors: ‘Price is important, but quality wins’, adding to the virtues of Turkish textiles the growing importance given to issues of sustainability and respect for the environment.
