Trends in World Textile and Clothing Trade - February 2008 edition

Trends in World Textile and Clothing Trade - February 2008 edition

SUMMARY
GROWTH IN TEXTILE AND CLOTHING TRADE
Textiles and clothing
Textile trade flows
Clothing trade flows
Intra-Asian textile and clothing trade
TEXTILE AND CLOTHING DEFICITS AND SURPLUSES
Deficits
Surpluses
LEADING TEXTILE AND CLOTHING EXPORTERS AND IMPORTERS
Leading textile exporters
Leading textile importers
Leading clothing exporters
Leading clothing importers
STATISTICAL APPENDIX
List of tables
Table 1: World trade in textiles and clothing, 2006
Table 2: Major regional flows in world exports of textiles and clothing, 2000-06
Table 3: Asian trade flows in textiles and clothing, 2000-06
Table 4: US textile and clothing trade, 1990-2006
Table 5: Textile and clothing trade balances, selected countries, 1980-2006
Table 6: Labour costs in the textile industry, by country, 1980-2007
Table 7: The world's leading exporters and importers of textiles, 1980-2006
Table 8: The world's leading exporters and importers of clothing, 1980-2006
Table 9: Trends in average exchange rates of selected Asian countries and the EU against the US dollar,
1995-2007
Table 10: Share of textile trade in total merchandise trade and in trade in manufactures, by region, 2006
Table 11: Share of clothing trade in total merchandise trade and in trade in manufactures, by region, 2006
Table 12: Exports of textiles from selected economies, 1990-2006
Table 13: Imports of textiles into selected economies, 1990-2006
Table 14: Exports of clothing from selected economies, 1990-2006
Table 15: Imports of clothing into selected economies, 1990-2006
Table 16: Exports of textiles by principal region, 2000-06
Table 17: Exports of clothing by principal region, 2000-06
Table 18: Textile imports into Canada and the USA from selected regions and countries, 2000-06
Table 19: Clothing imports into Canada and the USA from selected regions and countries, 2000-06
Table 20: Textile imports into the EU and Japan from selected regions and countries, 2000-06
Table 21: Clothing imports into the EU and Japan from selected regions and countries, 2000-06
Table 22: Textile imports into China and Mexico from selected regions and countries, 2000-06
Table 23: Trade in textiles and clothing for selected economies, 1980-2006

World textile and clothing trade rose by 9.7% to US$530 bn in 2006. Although the rise was slower
than the exceptional increases of 11.6% in 2004 and 12.9% in 2003, it was still the third fastest
growth rate witnessed since 1995, when trade grew by 14.0%. Four trade flows involving Asia grew
at double digit rates. In textiles, exports from Asia to Africa and Europe, for example, increased by
19% and 11% respectively, while those from Asia to North America rose by a respectable 9%. But
intra-North American textile trade fell by 1%. In clothing, Asian exports to Europe surged by 39%
while those to North America rose by 15%. However, intra-North American trade declined by 9% and
exports from South and Central America to North America fell in value by 6%.
The US textile and clothing trade deficit rose by 4.3% in 2006 to US$88.93 bn. As much as 88% of
the total was in clothing. The EU25 deficit, meanwhile, rose by a substantial 16.4% to reach
US$56.95 bn—although this equated to only 64% of the US deficit. China continued to have the
world’s biggest textile and clothing trade surplus, followed by India, Italy, Turkey and Pakistan.
The world’s biggest textile exporter in 2006 was the EU25, followed by China. The EU25 was also
the biggest textile importer, followed by the USA—although China ranked as high as third among the
world’s leading textile importers. In clothing, China became the world’s leading exporter, ahead of
the EU25—even when EU intra-trade is included. As for clothing imports, 44% of the world total went
to EU countries in 2006, while the USA took 26% and Japan 7%.