European clothing imports from Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco
more strongly declined over the second quarter than from other
Asian countries, reflecting the search for lower prices in
economic recession and surging competitiveness from China on a
post-quota market.
With the recession in the US and the EU showing signs of
recovery, Nepali garment manufacturers have started to receive
fresh inquires and orders from their overseas buyers. The new
inquires from the US mean a lot to Nepal's garment industry
since it is the largest market for Nepali readymade garments.
Japan's apparel imports further fell in the second part of
the year in yen terms, while again rising in US$ terms thanks
to a new jump in the yen. Japanese buyers favored imports from
cheapest origins, predominantly Vietnam, while China remained
the largest supplier.
Tanzania, East Africa’s biggest cotton producer, cut its
forecast for production of the fibre by 38% as drought and
poor distribution of pesticides reduced yields. The estimate
for the 12 months through June 2010 was lowered to 250,000
tonnes of seed cotton, compared with an earlier projection of
400,000 tonnes.
US apparel imports under duty-free access are more sharply
falling this year, reflecting the stronger competition from
China after quotas were eliminated. After resisting for years,
duty-free imports from Central America are retreating while
shipments from QIZs in the Middle East or from sub-Saharan
Africa are also negatively affected.
In 2008-09, apparel exports from India had levelled off at
$10.17 billion, 14% short of the target of $11.62 billion and
about 4% above the exports of $9.68 billion achieved in
2007-08.
Taiwan is planning to open 192 investment projects for
enterprises from Mainland China in Taiwan, formally starting
the times of two-way cross-strait investment. According to
statistics, as at the end of 2008, Taiwan businessmen invested
2044 projects in textile and garment industry in Mainland
China; contractual investment recorded US $1.96 billion.
EU imports of cotton terry towels were slightly down over
the second quarter this year, reflecting a sharp fall in more
expensive shipments from China while imports from Pakistan
were surging due to much lower prices. Indian towels benefited
from the strongest rise in value terms.
The Indian embroidery industry has now close to nearly
50,000 machines installed in the textile cluster city of Surat.
Most of these machines are high tech embroidery machines
imported mainly from China and other countries.
Polyester prices sharply dropped in the last week of
September in the Asian polyester chain, as a result of a crash
in paraxylene prices. Asian PX production is rapidly rising,
while Chinese imports did not yet decline. PTA prices are also
falling, being similarly depressed by new Chinese capacities.
EU imports of polyester staple fibers heavily fell in euro
terms over the second quarter this year, partly reflecting a
significant drop in prices from the same period in 2008.
Spanish and French imports dramatically declined, as a clear
sign that spun yarn industry is strongly suffering in both
countries.
Large textile firms from India are gearing to increase
production after almost a year-long lull, on the back of a
revival in international orders, but the pressure on pricing
continues. About one-third of India’s textile and garment
exports are shipped to the US, however, it constitutes less
than 5% of the US’ imports.
Exporters from Bangladesh will have to wait another year,
even though signs of recovery from recession appeared in
western countries. Readymade garment (RMG), Bangladesh's prime
foreign exchange earner, will not benefit from this positive
signs in the near future.
China's textile machinery industry saw a continued decline
in total profit and a hefty slump in imports and exports in
the second quarter of 2009. Analysts anticipated a continued
weakening of momentum for China's textile machinery markets,
owing to weaker consumer spending and easing export growth.
The spinning industry in many countries including India
has improved has improved from the end of 2008 and beginning
of 2009, however, the business outlook is still to be viewed
with caution according to an assessment by Cotlook.com
The Indonesian government may spend about 85% of the Rp
240 billion (US$23.75 million) allocated in the 2009 state
budget for its textile machinery revitalization program,
exceeding targets set in previous years. According to the
Industry Ministry, nearly 200 textile manufacturers have
registered for the program, which will allocate nearly Rp 1.75
trillion for new machines.
EU imports of polyester filament fabrics sharply fell in
volume terms over the second quarter of this year while prices
jumped at the same time. Anti-dumping duties set on Chinese
shipments resulted in a dramatic fall in imports from China
and a strong rise in Chinese prices from a very low level. The
German market heavily fell after better resisting in previous
years.
