US' textiles & apparel imports drop 22% to $33.7 bn in Jan-Apr 2023

US’ imports of textiles and apparel have continued to decrease in value terms, falling by 22.05 per cent to $33.780 billion in the first four months of 2023, compared to $43.333 billion during the same period in 2022. China remains the largest supplier of textiles and clothing to the US, holding a 23.93 per cent market share, followed by Vietnam with a 14.64 per cent share.

In January-April 2023, the bulk of US textile imports consisted of apparel, amounting to $25.212 billion, while non-apparel imports accounted for $8.567 billion, according to the latest Major Shippers Report released by the US department of commerce. Both segments experienced a decline in inbound shipments.

Apparel imports dropped by 22.15 per cent compared to the $32.388 billion traded in January-April 2022, while non-apparel imports fell by 21.72 per cent from $10.945 billion in the same period of the previous year.

Among the top ten apparel suppliers to the US, the import from any country did not register a rise. The imports from China and Cambodia declined by 32.45 per cent and 34.53 per cent, respectively.

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The import from Pakistan dropped 29.73 per cent, Vietnam 27.33 per cent, Indonesia 25.57 per cent, Honduras 20.61 per cent, Bangladesh 17.77 per cent and India 16.59 per cent.

Among the top ten suppliers in the non-apparel category, imports from Mexico experienced a year-on-year growth of 9.07 per cent. Imports from no other country rose in this period. Imports from China, on the other hand, declined by 31.53 per cent. Inbound shipments from other countries, such as Vietnam, Turkey, Pakistan, and Canada also decreased. Specifically, imports from South Korea decreased by 21.36 per cent and from India by 26.33 per cent.

During the period under review, US textile and apparel imports totalled $33.780 billion. Man-made fibre products accounted for $17.375 billion, while cotton products were valued at $14.135 billion. Wool products made up $1,004.673 million, and products from silk and vegetable fibres were worth $1,264.533 million.

In 2022, US imports of textiles and apparel continued to rise, reaching $132.201 billion, up from $113.938 billion in 2021. This increase followed a sharp decline in 2020 when the country's inbound shipments dropped to $89.596 billion, compared to imports of $111.033 billion in 2019.