EU trade in textile goods up in 2015

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 per cent). On the imports side, the EU imports picked up by +9.6 per cent 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 per cent (+29 per cent for textiles and +13 per cent for clothing).

Exports went up by 3.6%

Textiles’ sales to the US, EU’s top market, recorded a noticeable growth rate (+16 per cent). Moreover, among the EU top 10 customers, moderate expansion was recorded by Hong Kong and China (with respectively +7 per cent and +6 per cent). On the contrary, exports to Russia (-27 per cent) and Ukraine (-1 per cent) 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 US, Hong Kong, South Korea, Canada and China (with rates between +19 per cent and +22 per cent), which made the US the second largest EU customer and China the sixth. Exports to Saudi Arabian and Mexican markets also experienced a significant expansion (with respectively +17 per cent and +15 per cent). Russia and Ukraine on the other hand declined, following the political turmoil.

T&C imports rise 9.6%

Textile imports coming from EU top 20 suppliers were all up, except from Egypt, Thailand and Australia. Among the main suppliers, the US witnessed the highest growth with +16 per cent, followed by China, Pakistan and Vietnam (with +11 per cent). At the bottom of the ranking, Morocco and New Zealand records respectively a +17 per cent and +39 per cent increase. Clothing imports coming from most Asian countries recorded double digit growth rates.

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

Textiles’ sales to the U.S., EU’s 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.