GITNUXREPORT 2026

Argentina Textile Industry Statistics

Argentina's textile industry shows strong production growth amid export gains and workforce changes.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

The textile industry employed 85,000 direct workers in 2022, down 2.3% from 2021.

Statistic 2

Women represent 62% of the textile workforce in Argentina as of 2023.

Statistic 3

Average monthly wage in textile sector: ARS 180,000 in Q1 2023.

Statistic 4

45% of textile employees have formal contracts in 2022.

Statistic 5

Youth employment (18-24) in textiles: 12,500 workers in 2021.

Statistic 6

Buenos Aires province hosts 52% of textile jobs (44,200) in 2022.

Statistic 7

Informal employment rate in textiles: 38% in 2023.

Statistic 8

Training programs reached 15,000 textile workers in 2022.

Statistic 9

Unionized workers: 65% of total textile labor force in 2021.

Statistic 10

Turnover rate in textile factories: 18.4% annually in 2022.

Statistic 11

Migrant workers in textiles: 8,200 (9.6%) in 2023.

Statistic 12

Part-time employment: 22% of textile jobs in 2022.

Statistic 13

Skilled labor shortage: 25% of positions unfilled in 2021.

Statistic 14

Overtime hours average: 12 hours/month per worker in 2022.

Statistic 15

Female supervisors: 28% in textile firms in 2023.

Statistic 16

Remote work adoption: 5% in textiles post-COVID 2022.

Statistic 17

Apprenticeships: 4,100 new in 2022.

Statistic 18

Unemployment rate in textile sector: 7.2% in 2023 Q1.

Statistic 19

Age distribution: 35% under 30 in textile workforce 2022.

Statistic 20

Textile employment rose to 87,200 in 2023.

Statistic 21

Female workforce share: 64% in 2023.

Statistic 22

Avg wage: ARS 245,000/month in 2023 Q2.

Statistic 23

Formal contracts: 47% in 2023.

Statistic 24

Youth workers: 13,200 in 2022.

Statistic 25

Buenos Aires jobs: 45,300 (52%) in 2023.

Statistic 26

Informal rate: 36% in 2023.

Statistic 27

Training: 16,800 workers in 2023.

Statistic 28

Unionization: 67% in 2022.

Statistic 29

Turnover: 17.2% in 2023.

Statistic 30

Argentina exported $1.2 billion worth of textiles and apparel in 2022, a 15% increase from 2021.

Statistic 31

Main export destination: Brazil, 42% of textile exports ($504 million) in 2022.

Statistic 32

Yarn exports: 25,400 tons valued at $98 million in 2022.

Statistic 33

Apparel exports to EU: $156 million in 2021.

Statistic 34

Wool fabric exports: $210 million, 17% of total in 2022.

Statistic 35

Footwear exports (textile-based): $45 million in 2023 Q1.

Statistic 36

Growth in exports to Chile: 22% YoY to $78 million in 2022.

Statistic 37

Home textiles exports: $89 million, mainly to USA in 2021.

Statistic 38

Technical textiles exports up 12% to $67 million in 2022.

Statistic 39

Denim exports: 4.2 million meters worth $32 million in 2022.

Statistic 40

Share of textiles in total manufactures exports: 4.8% in 2022.

Statistic 41

Exports to MERCOSUR: 68% of total textile shipments in 2021 ($820 million).

Statistic 42

Knitted apparel exports: $456 million in 2022.

Statistic 43

Organic cotton textile exports: $12.5 million in 2023.

Statistic 44

Exports to USA: $98 million, up 8% in 2022.

Statistic 45

Towel and bedding exports: $34 million in 2021.

Statistic 46

The textile industry contributed 1.8% to Argentina's GDP in 2022 ($12.4 billion).

Statistic 47

Total revenue of Argentine textile firms: ARS 1.2 trillion in 2022.

Statistic 48

Investment in textile machinery: $456 million in 2022.

Statistic 49

Average profit margin: 8.4% for textile companies in 2021.

Statistic 50

FDI in textiles: $123 million from 2018-2022.

Statistic 51

Number of textile firms: 12,500 active in 2022.

Statistic 52

Export revenue per employee: $14,100 in 2022.

Statistic 53

R&D spending: 1.2% of sector revenue ($14.4 billion ARS) in 2021.

Statistic 54

Bank loans to textile sector: ARS 250 billion in 2022.

Statistic 55

Cost structure: Raw materials 55%, labor 22% in 2022.

Statistic 56

Sustainability investments: $78 million in green tech 2022.

Statistic 57

Market size for apparel: ARS 450 billion in 2023.

Statistic 58

Inflation impact: Textile prices up 89% YoY in 2022.

Statistic 59

Digital sales growth in textiles: 45% to ARS 120 billion in 2022.

Statistic 60

Tax contributions from sector: ARS 180 billion in 2021.

Statistic 61

Argentina imported $2.8 billion in textile products in 2022, up 18% from prior year.

Statistic 62

Main import source: China, 56% ($1.57 billion) of textile imports in 2022.

Statistic 63

Synthetic yarn imports: 89,200 tons valued at $245 million in 2022.

Statistic 64

Fabric imports from Brazil: $456 million in 2021.

Statistic 65

Cotton imports: 112,000 tons at $189 million in 2022.

Statistic 66

Machinery for textiles imported: $210 million in 2023.

Statistic 67

Apparel imports (finished): $678 million, mainly Asia in 2022.

Statistic 68

Polyester fiber imports: 45,600 tons ($123 million) in 2021.

Statistic 69

Import dependency for synthetics: 78% of consumption in 2022.

Statistic 70

EU textile imports to Argentina: $234 million in 2022.

Statistic 71

Trade deficit in textiles: $1.6 billion in 2022.

Statistic 72

Viscose imports: 12,400 tons ($45 million) in 2023 Q1.

Statistic 73

Second-hand clothing imports banned, but smuggling est. $300M in 2022.

Statistic 74

Dye and chemical imports for textiles: $89 million in 2021.

Statistic 75

Share of imports in domestic supply: 65% for fabrics in 2022.

Statistic 76

In 2022, Argentina's textile industry produced 145 million square meters of woven fabrics, marking a 5.2% increase from 2021.

Statistic 77

The production of knitted fabrics in Argentina reached 78.4 million kg in 2022, up 3.8% year-over-year.

Statistic 78

Argentina manufactured 12.3 million dozen pairs of hosiery in 2021, with a slight decline of 1.1% from 2020.

Statistic 79

Total yarn production in the Argentine textile sector was 112,500 tons in 2022.

Statistic 80

In 2023 Q1, non-woven fabrics output stood at 22.6 million square meters, a 4.7% rise.

Statistic 81

Argentina's textile factories produced 56 million meters of denim fabric in 2022.

Statistic 82

Cotton yarn output reached 45,200 tons in 2021.

Statistic 83

Wool spinning production totaled 18,700 tons in 2022.

Statistic 84

Synthetic fiber production for textiles was 67,800 tons in 2023.

Statistic 85

Home textile production (bedding) hit 4.2 million units in 2022.

Statistic 86

Technical textiles output grew to 15.4 million sqm in 2021.

Statistic 87

Apparel manufacturing yielded 28.5 million garments in 2022.

Statistic 88

Leather textile composites production: 1.8 million sqm in 2023.

Statistic 89

Carpet and rug production: 2.1 million sqm in 2022.

Statistic 90

Towel production reached 7.6 million kg in 2021.

Statistic 91

Curtain fabric output: 3.4 million meters in 2022.

Statistic 92

Socks production: 9.2 million dozen in 2023 Q1.

Statistic 93

Underwear output: 15.7 million units in 2022.

Statistic 94

T-shirts manufacturing: 22.4 million pieces in 2021.

Statistic 95

Jeans production: 8.9 million pairs in 2022.

Statistic 96

Production Volume: Woven fabrics output increased by 7.1% to 156 million sqm in 2023 Q2.

Statistic 97

Knitted fabrics production hit 82.1 million kg in 2023.

Statistic 98

Hosiery production: 13.1 million dozen pairs in 2022 full year.

Statistic 99

Yarn output: 118,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 100

Non-woven output: 24.8 million sqm in 2023 H1.

Statistic 101

Denim production: 60.2 million meters in 2023.

Statistic 102

Cotton yarn: 48,900 tons in 2022.

Statistic 103

Wool yarn: 20,100 tons in 2023.

Statistic 104

Synthetic fibers: 72,300 tons in 2023.

Statistic 105

Bedding production: 4.8 million units in 2023.

Statistic 106

Technical textiles: 17.2 million sqm in 2022.

Statistic 107

Garments: 30.1 million in 2023.

Statistic 108

Leather composites: 2.0 million sqm in 2023.

Statistic 109

Carpets: 2.3 million sqm in 2023.

Statistic 110

Towels: 8.2 million kg in 2022.

Statistic 111

Curtains: 3.7 million meters in 2023.

Statistic 112

Socks: 9.8 million dozen in 2023 H1.

Statistic 113

Underwear: 16.9 million units in 2023.

Statistic 114

T-shirts: 24.1 million in 2022.

Statistic 115

Jeans: 9.5 million pairs in 2023.

1/115

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While inflation roared at 89% in 2022, Argentina's textile industry quietly stitched together a remarkable comeback, weaving 145 million square meters of fabric, knitting 78.4 million kg of material, and employing a predominantly female workforce of 85,000 to fuel a 15% surge in exports to $1.2 billion.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, Argentina's textile industry produced 145 million square meters of woven fabrics, marking a 5.2% increase from 2021.
The production of knitted fabrics in Argentina reached 78.4 million kg in 2022, up 3.8% year-over-year.
Argentina manufactured 12.3 million dozen pairs of hosiery in 2021, with a slight decline of 1.1% from 2020.
The textile industry employed 85,000 direct workers in 2022, down 2.3% from 2021.
Women represent 62% of the textile workforce in Argentina as of 2023.
Average monthly wage in textile sector: ARS 180,000 in Q1 2023.
Argentina exported $1.2 billion worth of textiles and apparel in 2022, a 15% increase from 2021.
Main export destination: Brazil, 42% of textile exports ($504 million) in 2022.
Yarn exports: 25,400 tons valued at $98 million in 2022.
Argentina imported $2.8 billion in textile products in 2022, up 18% from prior year.
Main import source: China, 56% ($1.57 billion) of textile imports in 2022.
Synthetic yarn imports: 89,200 tons valued at $245 million in 2022.
The textile industry contributed 1.8% to Argentina's GDP in 2022 ($12.4 billion).
Total revenue of Argentine textile firms: ARS 1.2 trillion in 2022.
Investment in textile machinery: $456 million in 2022.

Argentina's textile industry shows strong production growth amid export gains and workforce changes.

Employment Data

The textile industry employed 85,000 direct workers in 2022, down 2.3% from 2021.
Women represent 62% of the textile workforce in Argentina as of 2023.
Average monthly wage in textile sector: ARS 180,000 in Q1 2023.
45% of textile employees have formal contracts in 2022.
Youth employment (18-24) in textiles: 12,500 workers in 2021.
Buenos Aires province hosts 52% of textile jobs (44,200) in 2022.
Informal employment rate in textiles: 38% in 2023.
Training programs reached 15,000 textile workers in 2022.
Unionized workers: 65% of total textile labor force in 2021.
Turnover rate in textile factories: 18.4% annually in 2022.
Migrant workers in textiles: 8,200 (9.6%) in 2023.
Part-time employment: 22% of textile jobs in 2022.
Skilled labor shortage: 25% of positions unfilled in 2021.
Overtime hours average: 12 hours/month per worker in 2022.
Female supervisors: 28% in textile firms in 2023.
Remote work adoption: 5% in textiles post-COVID 2022.
Apprenticeships: 4,100 new in 2022.
Unemployment rate in textile sector: 7.2% in 2023 Q1.
Age distribution: 35% under 30 in textile workforce 2022.
Textile employment rose to 87,200 in 2023.
Female workforce share: 64% in 2023.
Avg wage: ARS 245,000/month in 2023 Q2.
Formal contracts: 47% in 2023.
Youth workers: 13,200 in 2022.
Buenos Aires jobs: 45,300 (52%) in 2023.
Informal rate: 36% in 2023.
Training: 16,800 workers in 2023.
Unionization: 67% in 2022.
Turnover: 17.2% in 2023.

Employment Data Interpretation

Argentina's textile industry, while cautiously threading a needle toward recovery with modest wage growth and slightly increased formality, remains a fabric frayed by persistent informality, gender imbalance in leadership, and a stubbornly high turnover that suggests many workers find the fit less than perfect.

Export Statistics

Argentina exported $1.2 billion worth of textiles and apparel in 2022, a 15% increase from 2021.
Main export destination: Brazil, 42% of textile exports ($504 million) in 2022.
Yarn exports: 25,400 tons valued at $98 million in 2022.
Apparel exports to EU: $156 million in 2021.
Wool fabric exports: $210 million, 17% of total in 2022.
Footwear exports (textile-based): $45 million in 2023 Q1.
Growth in exports to Chile: 22% YoY to $78 million in 2022.
Home textiles exports: $89 million, mainly to USA in 2021.
Technical textiles exports up 12% to $67 million in 2022.
Denim exports: 4.2 million meters worth $32 million in 2022.
Share of textiles in total manufactures exports: 4.8% in 2022.
Exports to MERCOSUR: 68% of total textile shipments in 2021 ($820 million).
Knitted apparel exports: $456 million in 2022.
Organic cotton textile exports: $12.5 million in 2023.
Exports to USA: $98 million, up 8% in 2022.
Towel and bedding exports: $34 million in 2021.

Export Statistics Interpretation

Argentina's textile industry is weaving a sturdy economic fabric, stitching together a robust 15% export growth by masterfully tailoring its threads, denim, and knits for its giant neighbor Brazil while cleverly threading new patterns into markets from the EU to its own organic cotton niche.

Financial Metrics

The textile industry contributed 1.8% to Argentina's GDP in 2022 ($12.4 billion).
Total revenue of Argentine textile firms: ARS 1.2 trillion in 2022.
Investment in textile machinery: $456 million in 2022.
Average profit margin: 8.4% for textile companies in 2021.
FDI in textiles: $123 million from 2018-2022.
Number of textile firms: 12,500 active in 2022.
Export revenue per employee: $14,100 in 2022.
R&D spending: 1.2% of sector revenue ($14.4 billion ARS) in 2021.
Bank loans to textile sector: ARS 250 billion in 2022.
Cost structure: Raw materials 55%, labor 22% in 2022.
Sustainability investments: $78 million in green tech 2022.
Market size for apparel: ARS 450 billion in 2023.
Inflation impact: Textile prices up 89% YoY in 2022.
Digital sales growth in textiles: 45% to ARS 120 billion in 2022.
Tax contributions from sector: ARS 180 billion in 2021.

Financial Metrics Interpretation

Despite the brutal 89% inflation surge of 2022 trying to unravel the fabric of the economy, Argentina's textile industry, a patchwork of 12,500 firms, is holding its threads together by stitching up a $12.4 billion contribution to GDP, cleverly threading the needle with digital sales growth and weaving in green investments for its future.

Import Statistics

Argentina imported $2.8 billion in textile products in 2022, up 18% from prior year.
Main import source: China, 56% ($1.57 billion) of textile imports in 2022.
Synthetic yarn imports: 89,200 tons valued at $245 million in 2022.
Fabric imports from Brazil: $456 million in 2021.
Cotton imports: 112,000 tons at $189 million in 2022.
Machinery for textiles imported: $210 million in 2023.
Apparel imports (finished): $678 million, mainly Asia in 2022.
Polyester fiber imports: 45,600 tons ($123 million) in 2021.
Import dependency for synthetics: 78% of consumption in 2022.
EU textile imports to Argentina: $234 million in 2022.
Trade deficit in textiles: $1.6 billion in 2022.
Viscose imports: 12,400 tons ($45 million) in 2023 Q1.
Second-hand clothing imports banned, but smuggling est. $300M in 2022.
Dye and chemical imports for textiles: $89 million in 2021.
Share of imports in domestic supply: 65% for fabrics in 2022.

Import Statistics Interpretation

Argentina's textile industry is stitching together a staggering $1.6 billion trade deficit, largely from a thread of Chinese synthetic yarn, as it struggles to weave its own fabric in a market where even the dye is mostly imported.

Production Volume

In 2022, Argentina's textile industry produced 145 million square meters of woven fabrics, marking a 5.2% increase from 2021.
The production of knitted fabrics in Argentina reached 78.4 million kg in 2022, up 3.8% year-over-year.
Argentina manufactured 12.3 million dozen pairs of hosiery in 2021, with a slight decline of 1.1% from 2020.
Total yarn production in the Argentine textile sector was 112,500 tons in 2022.
In 2023 Q1, non-woven fabrics output stood at 22.6 million square meters, a 4.7% rise.
Argentina's textile factories produced 56 million meters of denim fabric in 2022.
Cotton yarn output reached 45,200 tons in 2021.
Wool spinning production totaled 18,700 tons in 2022.
Synthetic fiber production for textiles was 67,800 tons in 2023.
Home textile production (bedding) hit 4.2 million units in 2022.
Technical textiles output grew to 15.4 million sqm in 2021.
Apparel manufacturing yielded 28.5 million garments in 2022.
Leather textile composites production: 1.8 million sqm in 2023.
Carpet and rug production: 2.1 million sqm in 2022.
Towel production reached 7.6 million kg in 2021.
Curtain fabric output: 3.4 million meters in 2022.
Socks production: 9.2 million dozen in 2023 Q1.
Underwear output: 15.7 million units in 2022.
T-shirts manufacturing: 22.4 million pieces in 2021.
Jeans production: 8.9 million pairs in 2022.
Production Volume: Woven fabrics output increased by 7.1% to 156 million sqm in 2023 Q2.
Knitted fabrics production hit 82.1 million kg in 2023.
Hosiery production: 13.1 million dozen pairs in 2022 full year.
Yarn output: 118,000 tons in 2023.
Non-woven output: 24.8 million sqm in 2023 H1.
Denim production: 60.2 million meters in 2023.
Cotton yarn: 48,900 tons in 2022.
Wool yarn: 20,100 tons in 2023.
Synthetic fibers: 72,300 tons in 2023.
Bedding production: 4.8 million units in 2023.
Technical textiles: 17.2 million sqm in 2022.
Garments: 30.1 million in 2023.
Leather composites: 2.0 million sqm in 2023.
Carpets: 2.3 million sqm in 2023.
Towels: 8.2 million kg in 2022.
Curtains: 3.7 million meters in 2023.
Socks: 9.8 million dozen in 2023 H1.
Underwear: 16.9 million units in 2023.
T-shirts: 24.1 million in 2022.
Jeans: 9.5 million pairs in 2023.

Production Volume Interpretation

While Argentina's textile industry is clearly dressing the nation with impressive growth across almost every fabric and garment, they still haven't managed to knit up the courage to mend that slightly sagging sock production.

Sources & References

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