The import of textiles and apparel by the United States decreased by 6.98 percent to USD 15.580 billion in the first two months of 2021, compared to imports valued at USD 16.749 billion in January-February 2020. With 28.54 percent share, China was the largest supplier of textiles and apparel to the U.S. during the two-month period, followed by Vietnam with 14.83 percent share.

Apparel constituted the bulk of the textiles and apparels imports made by the U.S. during the initial two months of this year, and were valued at USD 10.914 billion, while non-apparel imports accounted for the remaining USD 4.666 billion, according to the latest Major Shippers Report, released by the U.S. department of commerce.

 

Segment-wise, among the top ten apparel suppliers to the U.S., imports from Pakistan showed growth of 13.45 percent year-on-year. On the other hand, imports from Indonesia, Jordan and India registered a sharp decline of 29.64 percent, 23.39 percent and 21.89 percent respectively compared to the same period of the previous year.

 

In the non-apparel category, among the top ten suppliers, imports from Turkey, India and Pakistan shot up by 48 percent, 20.48 percent and 19.98 percent, respectively. On the other hand, imports from South Korea were marginally down by 0.89 percent to USD 118.362 million.

 

Of the total U.S. textile and apparel imports of USD 15.58 billion during the period under review, cotton products were worth USD 6.951 billion, while manmade fiber products accounted for USD 7.994 billion, followed by USD 326.278 million of wool products and USD 308.562 million of products from silk and vegetable fibers.

 

In 2020, the U.S. textile and apparel imports had decreased sharply, mainly on account of the disruption caused due to COVID-19 pandemic, to USD 89.602 billion compared to imports of USD 111.038 billion in 2019.

 

Source: fibre2fashion.com