With a call to strengthen the textile and clothing industry, bet on innovation and work together to seek new markets and overcome the challenges of the sector, the 19th edition of the Expotextil Perú 2026 International Fair was officially inaugurated, an international platform that connects the entire textile-clothing chain through business, innovation, technology and specialized knowledge.
The general director of the fair, Luisa Mesones, called on the public and private sectors to work together to boost competitiveness and generate new business opportunities, in a context marked by the effects of the El Niño phenomenon and the difficult situation of the international market.
“Despite the uncertainty, companies in the sector continue to invest, modernize their plants, incorporate technology and generate formal employment. An example is the important call for this fair,” he emphasized.
He maintained that it is a historic edition as it brings together 205 exhibitors, there will be 36 specialized conferences, a Traveling Business Roundtable with 30 international and 80 national buyers, 3 sectoral discussion dialogues and the visit of more than 20,000 people is expected in an area of 10,000 square meters and four days of fair.
Current situation
Raúl Saba, president of the Textile and Clothing Committee of the National Society of Industries (SNI), highlighted the difficulties that the sector faces due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, unfair competition, smuggling, undervaluation and the difficult conditions of the international market.
Saba recognized that Peruvian businessmen do have the ability to compete but that the challenge is to have more equitable conditions of competition and achieve timely measures that protect national production, especially micro and small businesses, which are the most vulnerable. Likewise, he called to support the sector’s efforts to overcome the current situation and work with the State to recover the markets.
Diversify markets and reactivation
For her part, Teresa Mera, executive president of PromPerú, highlighted that Peru’s ancient textile tradition, the quality of our natural fibers, such as alpaca and cotton, and the capabilities of companies are competitive advantages to strengthen the national presence in international markets.
The official reported that, between January and August 2026, exports from the textile and clothing sector reached 1,116 million dollars, with the United States being the main destination, concentrating 48.7% of shipments.
Faced with the changes in international trade, he pointed out that PROMPERÚ will promote the diversification of markets and exportable supply through commercial intelligence, specialized fairs, business conferences and trade missions. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening innovation, sustainability and traceability to respond to the new demands of international buyers.
For his part, Eloy Durán Cervantes, vice minister of MYPE and Industry of the Ministry of Production, pointed out that the Textile Reactivation Plan, published on October 31, contemplates four lines of work to reactivate the sector: public purchases, improvement of competitiveness, access to markets and financing.
Among the measures he mentioned the MyPerú Purchases program, which allows the acquisition of 1.2 million school kits in 2026, with an investment of 501 million soles. Likewise, he highlighted the need to promote innovation, productivity, commercial digitalization and the simplification of procedures to facilitate the formalization and growth of companies.
The vice minister highlighted the existing coordination between the Government and the unions to promote the recovery of the sector and take advantage of its productive potential.
More than a fair exhibition
Throughout 10 thousand m2 at the Jockey Exhibition Center, visitors will be able to tour until this Sunday, November 8, the latest in machinery and equipment, supplies, fibers, materials, software, automation solutions and technical services, in addition to learning about proposals from national manufacturers and sustainable fashion projects.
“Expotextil Perú is not just a commercial exhibition fair. It seeks to promote meetings between suppliers, manufacturers, buyers and specialists to promote business opportunities and dialogue solutions that enhance the modernization and competitiveness of the sector,” concluded Luisa Mesones.
Source: andina.pe
