Editorial: Chinese Apparel Exports Collapse in the US Market

Recent trade data suggest that the Chinese apparel export boom may be over?at least in the US apparel market. In the first six months of 2006 US clothing imports from China were 14.6% lower in volume than in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to Otexa (Office of Textiles and Apparel). Contrast this with 2005, when US apparel imports from China soared by 97.9%.

An analysis by EmergingTextiles.com suggests that safeguard quotas are the main cause. These were first imposed in late 2003 and subsequently on a piecemeal basis until late 2005. However, a more comprehensive agreement was reached in November 2005 under which quotas were imposed on 22 categories of textiles and apparel. These quotas will remain in force until the end of 2008.

To read the full report buy issue 124 now	Subscribe

• World textile and apparel trade and production trends, March-April 2007, (March-April 2007)
• Trends in US textile and clothing imports, March-April 2007, (March-April 2007)
• Editorial: Post-Quota Scenarios in Textiles and Clothing: China Is Not the Only Winner, (September-October 2006)
• Editorial: Post-Quota Scenarios in Textiles and Clothing: Chinese Producers Re-Assess Their Production and Export Strategies, ( September-October 2005)
• Profiles of Two Chinese Clothing Companies: Jiangsu Sunshine Group and Youngor Group, (January-February 2005)
• Survey of Chinese Garment Company Strategies: Summer 2005 Buying Season, (January-February 2005)
• Profiles of Four Leading Chinese Clothing Companies, (September-October 2004)
• Nonwovens in China: Profiles of Eight Leading Manufacturers, (1st quarter 2004)
• Clothing Retailing in China, (September-October 2003)

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.