Around 395 registered companies in Macedonia work with apparel manufacturing. Even though they are spread across the whole country, the largest number of companies – 119 (or 30%) are located in the East region.
This industrial activity employs 31,742 employees or 6.1% of Macedonia’s working population. Compared to 2012, a 4.8% decrease is noted. The cumulative manufacturing index for 2014/2015 is 107, and the manufacturing index for 2015 (compared to 2010) is 136. Textile production participates with 11.7% in the total export of the country, and with 6.9% in the import.
The textile industry participates with 15.5% in the total gross domestic product, while in the industrial it participates with 21.8%. The textile industry participates in the total export with 26%, and employees 28% of the total number of employees in the industry. 93% of the apparel production is organized according to the CMT system for the foreign markets, mostly the European countries. The added value is low because 92-42% of the production is Lon, which brings small profits, even though the companies manufacture for quite famous worldwide brands.
Statistic data shows there is a necessity for changing the manufacturing structure towards products with higher added value, i.e. products for internal use. For this, hiring larger domestic capacities and resources is required
