World textile and apparel trade and production trends, March-April 2006

64 pages, published in Issue 122, March-April 2006   Report price: Euro 785.00; US$ 1030.00

US textile output fell for the eighth time in 2005 as import volumes rose. Clothing output was down for the 11th year in a row despite healthy consumer spending. Surprisingly, textile industry profits rose sharply, and clothing profits by a comfortable margin. Meanwhile, China stepped up its sales to the USA although growth was more moderate. In Argentina growth slowed after brisk expansion in recent years. Growth was also slower in Brazil as sales to the US market barely rose. Falling US demand also hit Colombia, leaving hopes pinned on the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA), US safeguard quotas against China, and the Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA). Mexico suffered from a transfer of US orders to Central America and the Dominican Republic as well as to Asian countries. But anti-dumping duties are helping to fend off imports from China in the domestic market. EU output fell again in 2005 as imports grew, and consumer spending and exports remained sluggish. China stepped up its shipments by 41.3% in value and increased its share of imports to 28.9%, leaving Turkey a distant second with 15.0%.

The industry in China progressed in 2005 in spite of new US and EU quotas on its exports. Output and investment expanded as exports rose by over 20%. But officials say problems of misdirected investment and a lack of self-discipline need to be addressed if China is to maintain and enhance its competitive position. In Hong Kong domestic exports continued to fall as more production was shifted to mainland China?although the new quotas against China have led to a resurgence in outward processing arrangements (OPA). In Japan output continued to fall, especially in clothing, as operations were moved abroad and imports rose. China alone supplied 82% of Japanese clothing imports in 2005. South Korea?s industry also faced growing competition, especially in clothing. The industry is looking for help from the US-South Korea Free Trade Agreement although a deal with India may be concluded in 2007. Taiwan also suffered from falling exports and output in 2005 as the shift to low cost countries continued.

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• Trends in EU textile and clothing imports, July-August 2006, (July-August 2006)

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.
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