Participants who attended the COTTON USA™ Special Trade Mission from Turkey expect to purchase an additional 1.035 million bales of U.S. cotton, valued at approximately $371 million.
From July 20th – 26th ,18 key decision-makers and industry leaders from Turkish-textile mills traveled to the United States to participate in the COTTON USA™ Special Trade Mission. The Special Trade Mission plays a crucial role in expanding U.S. cotton sales in important export markets such as Turkey. Turkey has the 3rd largest spinning industry globally behind Vietnam and China, making them one of the largest cotton consumers in the world.
Originally scheduled for July 2023, the Special Trade Mission from Turkey was postponed due to the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake, the largest earthquake in Turkey’s history, that struck southern and central Turkey on February 6th, 2023. The earthquake caused massive damage to the Turkish textile industry, particularly in the southeast region of Kahramanmaras, which represents 50% of the country’s total cotton consumption. As a result, 20% of the country’s textile capacity was damaged. The rescheduled 2024 Special Trade Mission was thus a timely opportunity for the U.S. cotton industry and Turkey’s textile industry to cement a stronger partnership as Turkey continues its rebuilding process.
With Turkey’s cotton consumption expected to rebound in the coming years, there is an opportunity for the U.S. cotton industry to benefit from increased demand. Turkey was ranked 3rd in U.S. cotton exports in MY 2022/2023, importing over 1.7 million bales. Although Turkey is a cotton producing country, domestic production alone does not satisfy consumption requirements, creating an opportunity for U.S. cotton to fulfill these needs. Additionally, Turkey’s position as a major supplier of high-quality garments to Western Europe underscores its need for premium raw cotton fiber, which U.S. cotton can provide.
The trip began in Savannah, the largest and fastest growing port terminal in the United States, where the group discussed challenges related to delayed shipments of U.S. cotton, a major obstacle when they choose to buy U.S. cotton. The group then traveled further along the U.S. cotton belt with stops in Memphis, Tennessee, Harlingen, Texas, Lubbock, Texas, and Visalia, California. Throughout the trip the group met with local U.S. cotton producers and toured a USDA classing office, where they were able to see first-hand the premium quality of this year’s U.S. cotton crop.
During the trip, the representatives from the Turkish textile industry also engaged in conversations with U.S. cotton exporters and merchants from each of the four main growing regions in the U.S. The discussions focused on the unique challenges and opportunities for exporting U.S. cotton to Turkey. After attending, 94% participants found the Special Trade Mission to be beneficial in developing new business relationships and looking ahead, 94% of the attendees anticipate purchasing more U.S. cotton in the following year, paving the way for continued growth in this important trade partnership.