World fabric output up in Q4/2013

Global fabric output was up in Q4/2013 as a consequence of higher production in Europe and Asia and despite lower output in South America. Year-on-year world fabric production rose due to increases in Asia and Europe and despite a drop in South America. Fabric stocks were slightly higher globally as a result of higher inventories in North and South America, while stocks were reduced in Europe and Asia. In comparison to last year´s quarter worldwide fabric stocks fell due to lower inventories in South and North America while stocks rose in Asia and Europe. Fabric orders in Brazil and Europe decreased in Q4/2013. On an annual basis fabric stocks were up both in Brazil and Europe.

Compared with the previous quarter global fabric production rose in Q4/2013 by .3 per cent with Europe and Asia recording higher outputs of .4 per cent and .6 per cent, respectively, while South America´s production fell by -15.3 per cent. Year-on-year global fabric production was up as well (.5 per cent) with Asia recording a production jump of .4 per cent and Europe of .0 per cent, while South America recorded a slump of -19.8 per cent.

Global fabric stocks in Q4/2013 increased slightly by .1 per cent resulting from higher inventories in North America (.5 per cent) and South America (,4 per cent) and despite lower stocks in Europe (-1.1 per cent) and Asia (-0.2 per cent). Global fabric stocks were down year-on-year by -3.1 per cent resulting from lower stocks in South America and North America (-16.8 per cent and -0.2 per cent, respectively). Fabric stocks in Asia and Europe on the other hand rose by .9 per cent and .2 per cent, respectively.

Meanwhile, global yarn production dropped in Q4/2013 in comparison to the previous quarter as a result of lower output in Asia, South and North America while production in Europe was up. Year-on-year global yarn production was up with all regions – except South America – recording higher output levels. Worldwide yarn stocks rose due to higher inventories in Europe and Asia and despite lower ones in South America. On an annual basis global yarn stocks were up as well in all regions, except in South America. Yarn orders in Europe increased slightly but dropped in Brazil in Q4/2013. Compared to last year´s quarter yarn orders were lower both in Brazil and Europe.

In comparison to the previous quarter, world yarn output dropped in Q4/2013 by -15.4 per cent due to lower output in Asia (-16.1 per cent), South America (-14.7 per cent) as well as in North America (-6.7 per cent) and despite an increase in Europe (.6 per cent). In comparison to Q4/2012 global yarn production rose by .7 per cent as a result of higher production levels in Asia (.6 per cent), North America (.0 per cent), Europe (.7 per cent) irrespective of a decline in South America (-6.7 per cent).