Trends in world textile and clothing trade, January-February 2005

59 pages, published in Issue 115, January-February 2005   Report price: Euro 690.00; US$ 910.00

World textile and clothing trade rose in 2003 by a substantial 11.3%. This was the fastest increase since 1995, when trade grew by 15%. The 2003 rise followed a 4.0% increase a year earlier as trade recovered from the global economic slowdown, from the US recession, and from the impact of the terrorist attacks on the USA on September 11, 2001. Textile exports from Western Europe to Eastern Europe soared by 21% to fuel the region?s apparel industries. In the reverse direction, clothing exports from Eastern Europe to the West grew by an almost equally impressive 18%. By contrast, textile exports from North America to Latin America grew by only 3% while clothing exports in the opposite direction stagnated. Between 1995 and 2000 this regional trade flow had grown by an average of 22% a year. But Latin America has faced intense competition in the US market from China since the country joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in late 2001 and the first batch of quotas was eliminated.

The US textile and clothing trade deficit rose by another 9.1% in 2003 to US$73.11 bn. As much as 90% of the total was in clothing. The EU deficit also rose. But at US$34.94 bn it was still only 48% of the US figure?even though the two markets are similar in size. China again had the world?s biggest textile and clothing trade surplus. But Turkey came second after a 24% increase. In the process it displaced Taiwan, whose surplus fell for the third year running.

The world?s biggest textile exporter in 2003 was the EU, with China second. The EU was also the largest importer, followed by the USA. But China ranked as high as third. The EU also led the world?s clothing exporters, although China was the biggest exporter when EU intra-trade was excluded. 43% of the world?s clothing imports were shipped to EU countries in 2003 while the USA took 30%.

Buy this Report now	Buy this Issue (115) now	Subscribe

Six times a year, Textile Outlook International provides up to 200 pages of expert comment and analysis. A subscription provides an overview of the global fibre, textile and apparel industries. It is essential reading for senior executives in the fibre, textile and apparel industries ? and for anyone who is not involved in the industry, but needs to quickly gain an understanding of the key issues.
Reports in Textile Outlook International include:
	country profiles ? providing a comprehensive guide to the textile and clothing industries in a range of countries and regions. The reports include an economic and political profile together with a comprehensive overview of the main issues, plus an outlook for the future.
	company profiles ? giving you the opportunity to learn from strategies employed by others. Companies profiled recently include retailers, manufacturers, innovators and sourcing companies involved in textiles and apparel as well as smaller companies which illustrate the opportunities for firms which are interested in selected sourcing locations.
	trends in world textile and apparel trade and production ? taking into account current issues facing the industry ? such as global fibre prices; competition from China and other low cost countries; the elimination of quotas and imposition of selective new ones; relocation of production operations; the impact of economic factors affecting trade; international trade agreements; trade promotion agreements (TPAs); and much more.
	trends in EU and US imports of textiles and clothing ? providing comprehensive statistical data and analysis of the top ten supplying countries to the EU and US markets. These reports are updated each year and contain value and volume data as well as average prices and analyses of trends for up to 15 product categories.
	innovations, technological developments, business development opportunities, individual sector analysis and political implications which affect players in the global fibre, textile and apparel industries. Some of the topics which have been covered in recent reports include: new innovations in the textile and clothing industry, such as environmentally friendly textiles, plant based fibres, and developments in textile colorants; innovations in textile machinery; and overviews of the European swimwear, hosiery and lingerie markets.
So whether you are involved in fibres, textiles or clothing ? in manufacturing, spinning, weaving, knitting, sewing, import/export, retailing ? or if you are in education or consultancy or investment or finance, a subscription to Textile Outlook International will tell you what you need to know about the key trends in the industry.
Textile Outlook International is available on subscription ? either in printed format only, or in printed and electronic format. If you choose the printed only option, you will receive 6 printed publications a year, containing a total of 30 reports plus editorials written by Robin Anson, our editorial director and in-house industry expert.
Electronic supplement If you choose the printed and electronic option, you will receive an extra service. You will still receive each issue in printed format, delivered to you by traditional post. In addition, you will be able to download PDF files containing the same information ? but the PDF files will be available immediately on publication, so you don?t have to wait for the printing and mailing. You also have all the benefits of electronic files: instant access even when you are away from the office; convenient storage in your PC or laptop; portability; electronic search facility; and copy/paste facility.