Brussels, Belgium – According to CITH, the Textile and Clothing Information Centre, the EU textile and clothing exporters succeeded in gaining further market shares in Third countries (+3.6%). On the imports side, the EU imports picked up by +9.6% in value terms, due to sharp increases from Asian countries. On the contrary, imports from the Mediterranean area (Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia) achieved a modest growth or even decreased over the period. This 2015 evolution impacted the overall trade balance of the EU-28 which deficit deteriorated further in value, by + 14% (+29% for textiles and +13% for clothing).

EU T&C exports went up by 3.6% in 2015

Textiles’ sales to the U.S., EUΆs top market, recorded a noticeable growth rate (+16%), thanks to a favorable exchange rate. Moreover, among the EU top 10 customers, moderate expansion was recorded by Hong Kong and China (with respectively +7% and +6%). On the contrary, exports to Russia (-27%) and Ukraine (-1%) slipped back again, as economy remains depressed in these markets. Clothing exports to its main consumers indicated a higher growth rates than for textiles. Data shows a noticeable growth in the U.S., Hong Kong, South Korea, Canada and China (with rates between +19% and +22%), which made the US the 2nd largest EU customer and China the 6th. Exports to the Saudi Arabian and Mexican markets also experienced a significant expansion (with respectively +17% and +15%). Russia and Ukraine on the other hand declined, following the political turmoil.

EU-28 T&C exports, €

EU T&C imports rise 9.6% in 2015

Textile imports coming from EU top20 suppliers were all up, except from Egypt, Thailand and Australia. Among the main suppliers, the US witnessed the highest growth with +16%, followed by China, Pakistan and Vietnam (with +11%). At the bottom of the ranking, Morocco and New Zealand records respectively a +17% and +39% increase. Clothing imports coming from most Asian countries recorded double digit growth rates. The top supplier, China, recorded a +6% increase, with 30 billion of clothing articles sold to the EU market. In second place, Bangladesh recorded a +24% increase. Strong importsΆ upturns were also observed from: Cambodia (+31%), Vietnam (+26%), Hong Kong (+25%) and the US (+26%). With a +79% increase, Myanmar is now ranking 17th in the top-20 EUΆs clothing suppliers.

EU-28 T&C imports, ¤

Source: EURATEX