The textile industry is going through one of the biggest crises in the country, which is leading to the closure of dozens of business activities each month. Apart from the lack of financial help from the government, in recent months, this industry is also experiencing challenges from wholesalers in EU countries refusing to supply them with raw materials.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are being reflected on the textile industry in our country because the contracts of orders from EU countries have been reduced. Data from the first months of the year regarding exports, show that even though they see a rise in general, in terms of textiles and shoes, they have seen a considerable decline. According to INSTAT, big exporters in this sector such as Germany, Spain, Italy and Greece aren’t sending in raw materials, thus directly affecting businesses and leading to their suspension, termination, or even to them having to lay off many of their employees.

Textile producers are experiencing a sharp decline in their business activities, where in January we see a 12% decline and in February an 18% decline.

Businessowners have periodically expressed their complaints and asked the government for help and financial support in order to cover for the losses they are experiencing because of the strict restrictions. They have even sent concrete official requests in the government’s address. According to data provided by textile producers in the country, there are around 760 companies and 76 thousand families, whose lives are directly dependent on this industry, but recently because of the pandemic, 70 activities have been forced to leave the market.