World textile and apparel trade and production trends, September-October 2005

96 pages, published in Issue 119, September-October 2005   Report price: Euro 785.00; US$ 1030.00

US clothing demand grew vigorously in early 2005, helping to boost sales by major retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart. But the gains have gone mainly to foreign suppliers in Bangladesh, India and especially China. US textile output fell to its lowest level since 1976 and clothing dropped to a record low. In Brazil exporters enjoyed growing demand in Argentina, China, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay and the Andean region. In Colombia clothing exports reached a record high while textile shipments soared. But Mexico faces tough competition in the US market from India, Bangladesh and other Asian suppliers.

EU15 output and orders fell in early 2005 as the stronger euro and quota elimination took their toll. The deficit rose for a fourth year as higher imports from Bangladesh, China and Pakistan offset modest export growth. But a new trade deal should stem the import surge from China. Meanwhile, firms are investing in China, India, Eastern Europe and North Africa. New EU states are investing in technical textiles.

In Japan output continues to spiral downwards as foreign competition intensifies and firms invest in low cost facilities overseas. Exports from China, which supplies 80% of Japan?s clothing imports, soared by 21.1% in the first eight months of 2005. Yarn output rose by 23.8%, fabric by 16.7% and clothing by 19.4%. But success has led others to impose quotas on its exports. Quotas have benefited Hong Kong as some operations have been moved back from China. But Hong Kong firms are investing in Cambodia, India, Indonesia and Jordan rather than China to avoid quotas. In South Korea higher sales to China have only partly offset falling sales in the USA and many firms are turning to high-tech products. Firms in Taiwan have also suffered although some fibre makers are still investing. Indonesia has gained from quota elimination with exports up 32% in the first five months of 2005. But foreign direct investment has fallen. Thailand and Malaysia have done better than expected with higher exports and output, despite relocation by some firms to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Bangladesh. In Vietnam growth has been slowed by quotas on exports to the USA. Clothing exports from Bangladesh, helped by brisk sales in the USA, have done surprisingly well. But textile exports from India were sluggish, and much of the technology remains obsolete. Pakistan and Sri Lanka, by contrast, are enjoying brisk growth, despite Chinese competition.

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	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.
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