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.