Trends in US textile and clothing imports, March-April 2007

70 pages, published in Issue 128, March-April 2007   Report price: Euro 690.00; US$ 910.00

US imports of textiles and clothing grew by only 2.3% in 2006?to 52.2 bn sme (square metres equivalent)?following an increase of 8.3% in 2005 and double-digit growth in six of the seven years between 1997 and 2004. Within the 2006 total, imports of made-up textiles rose by 9.1% and their share of all imports increased for the ninth consecutive year, from 16.8% in 1997 to 32.8% in 2006. Apparel, however, continued to hold the highest share, at 43.2%, reflecting strong US demand for cheap clothing. Fabric imports, meanwhile, fell by 6.8%. Cotton dominates US imports of MFA (Multi-Fibre Arrangement) clothing, with a share of 60%. However, its share of imports of all MFA products stood at 42.9% in 2006, behind that of man-made fibres at 54.5%. That said, cotton?s share rose by 1.5 percentage points in 2006 while that of man-made fibres fell by 1.3.

China strengthened its lead as the USA?s biggest supplier, in value and in volume, but growth slowed markedly in 2006. In volume terms, imports from China rose by only 11.0%. This was the first year that growth fell below 40% since China joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in late 2001. Indeed, in 2002 US imports from China rose by 124.5%, in 2003 by 67.0%, in 2004 by 40.7%, and in 2005 by 43.7%. US imports from Mexico, the second biggest supplier, fell in value and in volume in 2006. The drop in value was the fifth in succession, while in volume terms imports fell for the second year in a row?as prices continued to decline. Imports from Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) countries also fell in value and in volume. Among Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, imports from Indonesia grew by 27% in value terms?the fastest rate in the top ten. Meanwhile, in volume terms, imports from Indonesia rose by 18%?slightly slower than the 21% rise recorded in imports from Vietnam. Imports from the Asian ?big three??Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan?rose by 2.4% in volume and, in so doing, maintained their 7.5% share of the market. In terms of value, however, imports fell by as much as 15%, indicating large price drops. That said, overall US import prices rose in 2006, led by increases in China, Indonesia and Bangladesh.

Trends in US Textile and Clothing Imports

Summary
Introduction
US Imports of Textiles and Clothing by Main Category: Yarns, Fabrics, Apparel and Made-Up Textiles
US Imports of Textiles and Clothing by Fibre Type
Major Suppliers of US Textile and Clothing Imports
US Textile and Clothing Import Prices
Outlook for US Textile and Clothing Imports
Men's and Boys' Cotton Coats
Women's and Girls' Cotton Coats
Women's and Girls' Wool Coats
Cotton Dresses
Men's and Boys' Cotton Knitted Shirts
Women's and Girls' Cotton Knitted Shirts
Men's and Boys' Cotton Non-Knitted (Woven) Shirts
Women's and Girls' Cotton Non-Knitted (Woven) Shirts
Cotton Skirts
Man-Made Fibre Skirts
Men's and Boys' Cotton Trousers
Women's and Girls' Cotton Trousers
Cotton and Man-Made Fibre Baby Garments
Cotton Pile Towels
Other Cotton Apparel

Buy this Report now	Buy this Issue (128) now	Subscribe

• World textile and apparel trade and production trends, March-April 2007, (March-April 2007)
• Trends in EU textile and clothing imports, July-August 2006, (July-August 2006)
• Trends in Japanese textile and clothing imports, May-June 2006, (May-June 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.
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.