US textiles & apparel imports dropped 13% to $ 17.5 bn in Jan-Feb

US imports of textiles and apparel have continued to de—crease in value terms, falling by 13.01 per cent to $ 17.554 billion in the first two months of 2023, compared to $ 20.179 billion during the same period in 2022. China is still the largest supplier of textiles and clothing to the United States, accounting for 24%of the market, followed by Vietnam, accounting for 14.97%.

In January—February 2023, the bulk of US textile imports consisted of apparel, amounting to $ 13.215 billion, while non—apparel imports accounted for $ 4.339 billion, according to the latest Major Shippers Report released by the US department of commerce. The inbound shipments of these two departments have declined. Apparel imports dropped by 11.86 per cent com—pared to the $ 14.994 billion traded in January—February 2022,while non—apparel imports fell by 16.31 per cent from $ 5.185 billion in the same period of the previous year.

Among the top ten apparel suppliers to the US, imports from Nicaragua and Bangladesh increased by 4.70 per cent and 2.30 per cent year—on—year, respectively. Imports from India also rose slightly by 0.42%. However, imports from China and Cambo—dia decreased by 29.65% and 26.05% respectively. Five other countries in the top ten showed a downward trend.

In the non—apparel category, among the top ten suppli—ers, imports from Mexico grew by 11.98 per cent year—on—year,and those from Vietnam increased by 9.69 per cent. However,imports from eight other countries, including China, Turkey and Canada, have declined. Imports from China decreased by 27.99%.

During the period under review, the total import of textile and clothing in the United States was 17.554 billion USD. Man—made fibre products accounted for $ 9.044 billion, while cotton products were valued at $ 7.350 billion. The total value of wool products was 533.113 million yuan, and the total value of silk and plant fiber prod—ucts was 627.002 billion yuan.

In 2022, US textile and clothing imports continued to rise,reaching $ 132.201 billion, higher than $ 113.938 billion in 2021.This growth occurred after a sharp decline in 2020, when the coun—try's inbound shipments fell to 89.596 billion US dollars, while the imports volume in 2019 was 111.033 billion US dollars.