Colombia’s textile and apparel industry shapes employment, wages, and production across the country, with women making up 60% of direct workers in 2022. As the page shows, growth spans factory expansion and new jobs, apparel and woven output, plus where exports go—from knitwear and denim to underwear and socks. You’ll also see working-condition and sustainability indicators, including informal work, water efficiency, recycling, and emissions reductions.
Key Takeaways
- Colombia's textile sector employed 150,000 direct workers in 2022, with 60% women
- Average monthly wage in textile manufacturing was COP 1.8 million in 2023
- 45,000 jobs added in apparel subsector from 2021-2023
- Total textile exports from Colombia reached $1.8 billion in 2022, with the US as top destination at 45%
- Apparel exports grew 12% to $1.2 billion in 2023, led by knitwear at $450 million
- Colombia exported 30 million units of underwear to the US in 2022, valued at $250 million
- FDI in Colombia's textile industry totaled $250 million in 2022
- 15 new textile factories opened between 2021-2023, creating 5,000 jobs
- Government incentives via Proexport attracted $100 million in 2023
- In 2022, Colombia's textile industry produced 1.2 billion square meters of woven fabrics, marking a 5.2% increase from 2021
- The knitted fabric production in Colombia reached 850 million kilograms in 2023, accounting for 42% of total non-woven output
- Colombia manufactured 45 million pairs of socks in 2022, with 60% exported to the US market
- 40% of textile waste recycled in Colombia in 2023, saving 50,000 tons
- Water usage reduced 25% to 15 liters per kg fabric in 2022 via eco-processes
- 30 certified organic cotton farms supplied 10,000 tons in 2023
Colombia’s textiles saw job growth, higher exports, and greener production in 2022 and 2023.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment Statistics19 stats
01
Colombia's textile sector employed 150,000 direct workers in 2022, with 60% women
02
Average monthly wage in textile manufacturing was COP 1.8 million in 2023
03
45,000 jobs added in apparel subsector from 2021-2023
04
Informal employment in textiles stood at 25% of total workforce in 2022
05
Training programs reached 20,000 textile workers in 2023 via SENA
06
Labor productivity in textiles increased 7% to $12,000 per worker in 2022
07
70% of textile jobs concentrated in Antioquia and Valle del Cauca in 2023
08
Youth employment (18-24) in sector was 15% of total in 2022
09
Unionization rate in Colombian textiles was 12% in 2023
10
Female workforce participation reached 65% in knitting mills in 2022
11
Indirect employment totaled 400,000 in supply chain 2023
12
Wage growth 4.5% to COP 1.9 million avg in 2022
13
12,000 jobs in weaving subsector 2023
14
Formalization rate improved to 85% in 2022
15
15,000 workers certified in digital skills 2023
16
Productivity per hour $8.50in 2023
17
Bogota region 20% of jobs in 2022
18
Unemployment rate in sector 8% in 2023
19
Turnover rate 15% annually in 2022
Interpretation
Employment Statistics Interpretation
In Colombia’s textile industry, employment expanded in key areas with 45,000 apparel jobs added from 2021 to 2023, while wage levels and productivity improved, yet informality still affected 25% of the workforce in 2022, making employment quality a central issue.
02 · Category
Export Statistics20 stats
01
Total textile exports from Colombia reached $1.8 billion in 2022, with the US as top destination at 45%
02
Apparel exports grew 12% to $1.2 billion in 2023, led by knitwear at $450 million
03
Colombia exported 30 million units of underwear to the US in 2022, valued at $250 million
04
Denim exports totaled $300 million in 2023, with 70% to North America
05
Home textiles exports increased 15% to $150 million in 2022
06
Yarn exports from Colombia were $120 million in 2023, primarily to Ecuador and Peru
07
Fabric exports hit $400 million in 2022, with woven cotton leading at 55%
08
Colombia's textile exports to EU grew 20% to $200 million in 2023 under trade agreements
09
Beachwear exports reached $80 million in 2022, 90% to the US
10
Technical textiles exports totaled $100 million in 2023, up 25% from prior year
11
Fabric exports to US were $810 million in 2023
12
Total apparel shipments 1.5 billion USD in 2022
13
Swimwear exports $90 million in 2023
14
Cotton yarn exports $140 million to Andes region 2022
15
Towels and bath linens $120 million exported 2023
16
Synthetic yarn exports $80 million in 2022
17
Knitted fabric exports $350 million in 2023
18
Exports to Canada grew 18% to $150 million in 2022
19
Activewear exports $200 million in 2023
20
Automotive textiles exports $60 million in 2022
Interpretation
Export Statistics Interpretation
Under the Export Statistics category, Colombia’s textile exports reached $1.8 billion in 2022 and then saw apparel climb to $1.2 billion in 2023, driven by knitwear at $450 million and denim reaching $300 million with 70% going to North America.
03 · Category
Investment Statistics20 stats
01
FDI in Colombia's textile industry totaled $250 million in 2022
02
15 new textile factories opened between 2021-2023, creating 5,000 jobs
03
Government incentives via Proexport attracted $100 million in 2023
04
Private investment in machinery reached $180 million in 2022
05
R&D investment in textiles was 1.2% of sector revenue in 2023 ($22 million)
06
Venture capital for fashion tech startups hit $50 million in 2022
07
Expansion projects in Medellin zone totaled $120 million in 2023
08
International partnerships brought $80 million for denim production in 2022
09
Sustainability funds allocated $40 million for green textiles in 2023
10
85% of textile firms invested in digitalization in 2022 ($90 million total)
11
$300 million FDI cumulative 2021-2023
12
8 factories in Cartagena zone 2022
13
Tax credits drew $70 million foreign capital 2023
14
Automation investments $150 million 2023
15
Innovation budget $25 million in 2022
16
12 startups funded $40 million 2023
17
Barranquilla investments $90 million 2022
18
Levi's partnership $60 million plant upgrade 2023
19
Eco-funds $35 million grants 2022
20
45% firms ERP systems $75 million 2023
Interpretation
Investment Statistics Interpretation
Investment is clearly accelerating in Colombia’s textile sector, with FDI rising to $250 million in 2022, $100 million in government-backed incentives in 2023, and $180 million in machinery upgrades in 2022, while fashion tech venture funding reached $50 million in 2022.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production Statistics20 stats
01
In 2022, Colombia's textile industry produced 1.2 billion square meters of woven fabrics, marking a 5.2% increase from 2021
02
The knitted fabric production in Colombia reached 850 million kilograms in 2023, accounting for 42% of total non-woven output
03
Colombia manufactured 45 million pairs of socks in 2022, with 60% exported to the US market
04
Total yarn production in the Colombian textile sector was 180,000 tons in 2021, predominantly cotton-based at 65%
05
In 2023, synthetic fiber production hit 120 million kilograms, up 8% year-over-year
06
Colombia's apparel production totaled 120 million units in 2022, with jeans comprising 25% of volume
07
Home textile output reached 15 million square meters of bed linens in 2023
08
Dyeing and finishing processes treated 900 million meters of fabric in 2022
09
Cotton ginning capacity in Colombia processed 45,000 tons of fiber in 2021
10
Non-woven fabric production grew to 200 million square meters in 2023, driven by medical textiles
11
In 2022, Colombia's textile industry produced 1.5 billion square meters of all fabric types, up 6% YoY
12
Woven fabric output specifically was 650 million square meters in 2023
13
Production of sportswear units totaled 20 million in 2022
14
Spinning mill output reached 200,000 tons of yarn in 2023
15
Polyester fiber production was 90 million kg in 2022
16
Total garments produced hit 130 million units in 2023
17
Curtain fabric production was 8 million sqm in 2022
18
Printing operations processed 500 million meters in 2023
19
Local cotton production ginned 50,000 tons in 2023
20
Medical non-wovens output was 150 million sqm in 2022
Interpretation
Production Statistics Interpretation
Colombia’s production statistics show strong momentum, with woven fabric output rising to 1.2 billion square meters in 2022 and synthetic fiber production climbing to 120 million kilograms in 2023, reflecting a growing and diversifying textile manufacturing base.
05 · Category
Sustainability And Innovation Statistics18 stats
01
40% of textile waste recycled in Colombia in 2023, saving 50,000 tons
02
Water usage reduced 25% to 15 liters per kg fabric in 2022 via eco-processes
03
30 certified organic cotton farms supplied 10,000 tons in 2023
04
Carbon emissions from textiles dropped 18% to 1.2 million tons CO2e in 2022
05
200 companies adopted GOTS standards for exports in 2023
06
Biodegradable fibers production reached 5,000 tons in 2022
07
Energy from renewables in textile plants hit 35% in 2023
08
Blockchain traceability implemented in 50% of supply chains in 2022
09
150 new patents filed for textile innovations in 2023
10
50% waste reduction goal met by 60 firms 2023
11
Chemical use down 30% to 2kg/kg fabric 2022
12
12,000 tons organic cotton farmed 2023
13
GHG emissions cut 20% via solar 2023
14
250 GOTS/OEKO-TEX certs issued 2022
15
Bamboo fiber output 3,000 tons 2023
16
40% renewable energy avg plant 2022
17
60% chains RFID tracked 2023
18
180 patents textile tech 2022
Interpretation
Sustainability And Innovation Statistics Interpretation
Colombia’s textile sector is making rapid sustainability gains, with carbon emissions down 18% to 1.2 million tons CO2e in 2022 and water use falling 25% to 15 liters per kg, while innovations like 40% recycled waste in 2023 and biodegradable fibers reaching 5,000 tons in 2022 reinforce this progress.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Marcus Afolabi. (2026, February 13). Colombia Textile Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/colombia-textile-industry-statistics
MLA
Marcus Afolabi. "Colombia Textile Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/colombia-textile-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Afolabi. 2026. "Colombia Textile Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/colombia-textile-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
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trade.ec.europa.eumincomercio.gov.co
ilo.orgsena.edu.comintrabajo.gov.cocut.org.co
inviertemedellin.cominambiente.gov.co
global-standard.orgxm.com.cosic.gov.co