One of Central Europe’s rapidly developing and growing countries, Poland is also economically strengthening already existing historical and cultural bonds with Turkey. Poland has new market opportunities for Turkish exporters with a population of 38. In 2000 – 2016 period our exports has increased 15 times; while our imports has increased 16 times to Poland which became an EU member in 2004. Having the 6^th biggest economy in EU our foreign trade with Poland has took a turn for the worse with the country’s acceptance in the EU. Poland is an attractive market for investors and exporters with its continuously growing economy for the last 26 years.

A growth of 3.3% is expected in 2017 for Poland which has 469.5 million dollars of gross national product (GNP) by the end of 2016. Agriculture 2.6%, industry 38.5% and services have a 58.9% share in the GNP. In 2016 a total export 195.70 million dollars has been carried out while the import numbers were at 193.60 million dollars for the same year.

Poland’s 2016 export to Turkey was 3.244 million dollars while import from Turkey was 2.652 million dollars. The foreign trade volume between the two countries in 2016 reached up to 5.9 billion dollars with an increase of 11.1% compared to 2015. By 2017, Turkey continues to have losses in its trade with Poland. In the 2017 January – July period our foreign trade deficit has been announced as 128 million dollars. Poland carries 1.5% of its total export to and 1.6% of its import from Turkey.

Turkey’s main export products to Poland are textile and ready to wear products, motor land vehicles, machines and devices, fruit and vegetables. Turkey’s main import products from Poland are motor land vehicles, coal, machines, chemicals, cosmetics and furniture.

Turkey’s textile export numbers are low

In 2016 Poland realized a 4,208,327 thousand dollars’ worth of textile import. Turkey is the 3^rd textile exporting country to Poland, following China and Germany. China has an 18.8%, Germany a 17.8% and Turkey a 7.5% share in this import. Turkey’s exports to Poland in 2015 was 305,461 thousand dollars; in 2016 this number reached up to 316,197 thousand dollars with a 3.5% increase.

The Country’s most imported textile product is technical textiles with 1,858,008 thousand dollars. Turkey is 10^th (42,758 thousand dollars) in this product group. Yarn has the 2^nd place with a 438,052 thousand dollars import power. Turkey is 4^th (52,064 thousand dollars) in this product group. Turkey is also 4^th (92,834 thousand dollars) in weaving fabrics import worth of 913,526 thousand dollars. Turkey is 7^th (17,256 thousand dollars) in fibres import worth of 398,414 thousand dollars. Turkey is placed 4^th in Poland’s 534,597 thousand dollars’ worth household linen import while it is 1^st on 225,932 thousand dollars’ worth knitting fabric import. Turkey supplies 23.2% of Poland’s knitting fabric import. Turkey has obtained 54,933 thousand dollars revenue from this export.

We can define Turkey’s product based import to Poland such as; 30% woven fabric, 19% knitting fabric, 17% yarn, 16% technical textiles, 13% household linen and 5% fibres.

Textile and ready to wear had a surplus in foreign trade with Poland

While having a deficit in total foreign trade with Poland; Turkey is having a surplus in textile and ready to wear industries. According to the Ministry of Economy data; our textile and ready to wear trade had a surplus worth 795 million dollars in 2016. Foreign trade volume of textile and ready to wear industries reached up to 868 million dollars with a 16.9% increase compared to the previous year. In January – July period of 2017, industry foreign trade surplus was worth 401 million dollars.

Out total export to Poland consists 21.5% of ready to wear and garment products, 10.4% textile and raw materials. Thus we reach the biggest export segment with a total of 31.9%.  Poland has a serious market potential for textile and ready to wear industries. Promotional activities can find a strong resonance in the long run for this market. Government and industry supported activities carries a big importance on this matter.