World textile and clothing trade rose by 3.6% in 2002 as it recovered from the global economic slowdown, from the US recession, and from the impact of the terrorist attacks on the USA on September 11, 2001. Exports of textiles from Western Europe expanded by 9% to fuel the apparel industries in Eastern Europe while, in the reverse direction, clothing exports from Eastern Europe to the West grew by 6%. Similarly, 7% more textiles were shipped from North America to Latin America, although apparel exports in the reverse direction rose by only 2%. Textile exports from Asia to North America recovered significantly but apparel trade fell slightly.
The US textile and clothing trade deficit rose by another 4.2% in 2002 to US$67.00 bn. As much as 91% of the total was in clothing. The EU deficit also rose, but at US$28.58 bn it was still only 43% of the US figure—even though the two markets are similar in size. China continued to have the world’s biggest textile and clothing trade surplus, followed by Taiwan although the Taiwanese surplus decreased by 6.6%.
The world’s biggest textile exporter in 2002 was the EU, with China second. The EU was also the largest textile importer, followed by the USA. But China ranked as high as third. The EU also led the world’s clothing exporters, although China was the biggest exporter when EU intra-trade was excluded. 40% of the world’s clothing imports were shipped to EU countries in 2002 while the USA took nearly a third. But Mexico became the fifth biggest market, swapping places with Canada which dropped to sixth position. Russia rose to number seven, swapping positions with Switzerland. China has the 14th biggest clothing market. But with annual clothing imports at only US$1.06 a head, market opening still has a long way to go.
Product Overview
| 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. | |
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| 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. |
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| 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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| 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. | |
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| 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. | |
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