GLOBAL: Textile and Apparel Trade and Trends

World Textile and Apparel Trade and Production Trends US textile output fell for a tenth year in 2007, to its lowest level in over 35 years. Clothing output plunged by 40% in volume. Employment was also down-by 9.2% in textiles and 8.3% in clothing. But the average price of garments produced in the USA rose by 25% as output was geared increasingly to high-end niche markets.

Import volume growth slowed as consumer spending on clothing and footwear rose by only 3.7% after rising by 4.5% in 2006 and 5.1% in 2005. Meanwhile, China increased its textile and clothing sales to the USA by 14.8% in volume and 19.4% in value, despite quota restrictions on a range of products. Vietnam stepped up its supplies to the USA by 31.2% in volume and 34.2% in value in 2007.