“Hadraj”: The high costs in Türkiye opened the doors of global markets to the Egyptian product
Exports of the ready-made clothing sector increased by 15% during the first half of 2026, to record $1.775 billion compared to the same period last year.
This was supported by the significant jump in external demand, the deepening of local manufacturing, and the beginning of the fruits of new investments in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
The sector aims to continue the upward momentum during the second half of the year, to exceed the $3.5 billion targets and approach the $4 billion barrier by the end of 2026, supported by the expansion of production capacities and the increased price competitiveness of the Egyptian product in global markets.
Engineer Fadel Marzouk, Chairman of the Readymade Garments Export Council, said that the achieved results reflect the solidity of the national industry and its ability to achieve growth despite global economic turmoil and supply chains, noting that relying on the locally contained component gave companies high flexibility in adhering to delivery dates while maintaining quality.
Marzouk revealed that the European and American markets account for the largest share of exports. Shipments to Europe increased by 25% to record $767 million, compared to $615 million during the comparison period.
While exports to the United States recorded a growth of 13% to reach $693 million, he stressed the Council’s continued implementation of the plan to diversify markets and increase added value.
For his part, Fouad Hadraj, President of the Belladonna ready-made clothing company, confirmed that the sector seized an exceptional opportunity to expand globally, taking advantage of the high production costs in Turkey, which prompted international buyers to shift their orders to Egypt as a main alternative, in addition to opening new markets such as Brazil, benefiting from free trade agreements, and reducing dependence on imports from China.
Hodroj revealed that Belladonna pumped 10 million pounds to modernize machines and expand knitting production lines, which increased its production capacity by 15%.
The company’s exports are expected to grow by between 20 and 25% during the current year, but this is conditional on the need to increase labor productivity to confront high operational costs and maintain competitiveness in front of markets such as Bangladesh.
In the same context, sector indicators enjoy strong support from new projects in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, which includes 42 clothing and textile projects with total investments amounting to $1.14 billion.
Samah Heikal, a member of the ready-made clothing division at the Cairo Chamber of Commerce, explained that the current jump is a cumulative result of the state’s support for the sector, expanding the production base and price competitiveness resulting from exchange rate changes, in addition to the pivotal role of the “QIZ” agreement.
She pointed out that Suez Canal investments will constitute the main driver of the next wave of growth once it is fully operational.
