Clothing production in Turkey vs Netherlands

Turkey is a popular destination for clothing production due to price and scale. But is having clothing made in Turkey also the right choice for starting brands or smaller runs? In this guide, we compare production in Turkey with production in the Netherlands.

Also check the overview of all production countries at clothing production abroad.

Why do brands choose clothing production in Turkey?

Turkey has a strong textile industry with a lot of experience in large-scale production. The country combines relatively low production costs with European proximity.

  • Lower cost price at higher quantities
  • Strong in jersey, denim, and basics
  • Faster delivery times than Asia
  • Suitable for larger production runs

What should you take into account?

Although Turkey seems attractive, there are factors that particularly impact starting brands.

  • Higher minimum quantities (MOQ) than small ateliers
  • More pre-financing needed
  • Less flexible with changes
  • Communication and quality control from a distance

For a first collection, this can increase risk.

MOQ and scale: when does Turkey make sense?

Turkey is particularly interesting when you:

  • Already have proven sales
  • Produces higher quantities per model
  • Price optimization is more important than flexibility
  • Have a fully developed tech pack

When is production in the Netherlands more strategic?

For new brands or test collections, local production in the Netherlands may be smarter.

  • Start small (from 25–50 pieces)
  • Fast sample rounds
  • Direct contact with makers
  • Less logistical risk

Read more about our approach at clothing production in the Netherlands.

Price vs strategy

The lower price per piece in Turkey only becomes really interesting at larger volumes. For small runs, development costs and logistics can relatively weigh heavily on your budget.

Many brands therefore opt for a hybrid approach: first developing and testing locally, then possibly scaling up.

Are you unsure between Turkey and the Netherlands?

We are happy to think along with you about what makes the most sense in your phase: going directly to Turkey or developing locally first.

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Back to the overview: clothing production abroad.