US imports of MFA textiles and clothing reached an all-time high of 25.9 bn sme (square metres equivalent) in 1998. Made-up textiles rose the fastest (up 20%) and accounted for almost 18% of the import total. But apparel accounted for 50% of the total, reflecting strong US demand for cheap clothing. Also, while man-made fibres continue to account for half of US imports, 1998 saw a swing in favour of cotton.
Mexico is the top supplier in terms of volume and, for the first time, it is also the leading supplier in value. Furthermore, Mexico is the USA’s fastest growing supplier, having achieved a growth rate of 26% in value terms during 1998. In contrast, imports from China fell in both value and volume. Mexico’s rapid growth will continue as Mexican and US firms take advantage of its special access to the US market under the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta).
Imports from Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) countries slowed in 1998 as they continued to face competition from Mexico and more competitive Asian countries. Asean countries also did well, especially the Philippines. Meanwhile, the share of imports held by the Asian 'big three' continued to decline as their production migrated to lower cost countries - although South Korea staged a comeback as exporters took advantage of the sharp depreciation of the Won.
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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