Source: Trade Govt PL
Date: 14th September 2026 

Poland’s rise to become the world’s sixth-largest clothing exporter highlights its expanding role not only in fashion trade, but also in sourcing, warehousing, e-commerce and distribution across Europe.

Poland is strengthening its position in the global fashion industry, with its growing international trade highlighting an increasingly important role within European supply chains.

In 2025, Poland became the sixth-largest clothing exporter in the world, accounting for 3.1% of global exports. It was also the eighth-largest importer, with a 3.9% share of global clothing imports, according to the latest industry analysis from PKO Bank Polski.

The figures point to something broader than the strength of domestic clothing manufacturing. Poland increasingly operates as a link connecting international sourcing, European inventory, distribution and final consumers.

More than a manufacturing story. A significant share of clothing handled by Polish companies is produced outside the country before entering Poland for sale or onward distribution.

This means Poland can perform several roles within the same fashion supply chain, from design and brand management to importing, inventory management, e-commerce fulfilment and distribution across European markets.

This model is particularly relevant for an industry where companies need to balance the cost advantages of global sourcing with the need for shorter delivery times and greater responsiveness closer to consumers.

Poland’s location within the European Union and proximity to major Western European markets make it well positioned to support this combination.

E-Commerce adds to the logistics opportunity. The continued growth of online fashion is further changing logistics requirements.

Around 36% of global clothing sales revenue came from online stores in 2025, with the share forecast to exceed 40% by 2030.

As online sales increase, logistics becomes an increasingly important part of the customer experience.

Fashion companies need inventory positioned appropriately, together with efficient warehousing, pick and pack, order fulfilment, distribution and returns management. The ability to replenish markets quickly is also particularly important for an industry characterised by changing collections, seasonal demand and short product cycles.

Poland’s position between global production markets and European consumers therefore creates opportunities extending well beyond traditional manufacturing.

A growing role in European distribution. The evolution is already visible in Poland’s changing international position. In 2024, Poland ranked 10th among the world’s clothing exporters with a 2.6% share. By 2025, it had moved to sixth place with 3.1%.

At the same time, global fashion supply chains remain highly international. China alone accounted for 26.6% of global clothing exports in 2025, reinforcing the continuing importance of long-distance sourcing alongside regional warehousing and distribution.

This creates a supply-chain model in which production can remain global while inventory and fulfilment operations are positioned closer to European customers.

What This Means

• For fashion brands, retailers and importers serving Europe, the location of inventory is becoming almost as important as the location of production.
• Companies increasingly need to evaluate where products should be stored and distributed to achieve the right balance between transportation cost, inventory availability, delivery speed and flexibility.
• Poland’s central European location can make it an important option for companies looking to combine global sourcing with regional distribution.

Poland’s growing fashion trade demonstrates how the role of a logistics hub can extend far beyond domestic manufacturing.

As fashion brands continue sourcing globally while serving European consumers through increasingly complex retail and e-commerce channels, strategically positioned warehousing and distribution can provide an important bridge between production and final delivery.

Logfret Poland’s 5,000 m² Class A warehouse in Nadarzyn, supported by warehousing, cross-docking, distribution, pick & pack, inventory management and value-added logistics capabilities, strengthens our ability to support customers developing these European supply-chain models.

For fashion companies, the opportunity is increasingly about combining global sourcing with inventory positioned closer to the market, creating supply chains that can respond faster and more flexibly to changing European demand.