The world's biggest textile exporter in 2009 was the EU27, followed by China, the USA, Hong Kong, South Korea, India, Turkey, Taiwan, Japan and Pakistan. The EU27 was also the biggest textile importer, followed by the USA-although China ranked as high as third, followed by Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, Turkey, Russia, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Bangladesh government has decided to withdraw restriction on raw jute export for some time under some conditions. Raw jute export will be allowed for those who have already opened L/C (letter of credit). However, the export will face embargo again after this limited waiver. The government imposed a ban on export of raw jute in December, 2009 to ensure smooth supply of the natural fibre to local mills. Bangladesh's raw jute production is estimated to be 55 lakh bales this year. Domestic demand for raw jute is around 35 lakh bales.

In China, the demand for domestic garments has been good in recent months and this has offset the decline in export demand caused by the global financial crisis, said Frank Hanraets, Vice President, Commercial, with MEGlobal, the biggest MEG producer in the world. He said Indian MEG market is likely 1.5 million tonnes per year, while the Chinese market is 7.0 million tonnes per year, whereas the populations of both countries are more or less the same. So the Indian market has scope to grow much more.

n clothing, China was the world's leading exporter for the third year running, followed by the EU27, Hong Kong, Turkey, Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mexico and the USA. As for clothing imports, 47% of the world total went to EU countries in 2009, while the USA took 22%, Japan 7% and Russia 6%. Next in importance were Hong Kong, Canada, Switzerland, the UAE, Australia and South Korea but each of these had only small shares

The Vietnam Textile and Garment Corporation (Vinatex) will begin operations at its Son Dong garment plant in the Northern Province of Bac Giang in April, 2010. The undertaking is backed with VND42 billion (US$3 million) from seven Vinatex enterprises, of which 28% is from the Hung Yen Garment Joint Stock Co.  The plant covers 37,000 sq.m and is capable of producing 3.5 million garments a year.

India's cotton arrivals in 2009-10 stood at 20.05 million bales of 170 kg each, down from 20.80 million bales during the same period last year. The cotton year runs between October and September. Arrivals rose 28% to 6.8 million bales in top producer Gujarat, while it fell 24% to 4 million bales in Maharashtra, the second biggest producer.

Thailand apparel exports continued resisting competition from other Asian countries in the last year. Thai fall of the baht helped in stimulating sales while large availability of domestic textile materials remained a very strong advantage for Thai producers. The global economic crisis may now affect Thai clothing exports, however, while the elimination of US quotas is dramatically depressing sales to the U.S. market. Thailand's apparel exports were not significantly affected by the economic crisis in the last year but may now be threatened by a serious slowdown.

Intertextile Beijing Apparel Fabrics 2010 recently confirmed a special zone for Japanese apparel fabrics and textile-related suppliers for the upcoming March event. The zone will comprise of several leading exhibitors, such as Kurabo, Takisada-Nagoya, Uni Textile and Yagi, renowned for their superior design, high quality and innovative versatility.

Wool prices significantly climbed in US$ terms in Australia, reflecting very good demand despite the sharp decrease in the American currency.

The Mozambican government is taking measures to encourage cotton output in order to meet the need of reviving three textiles factories; EMMA, Textáfrica and Texmoque. Mozambique’s cotton association (AAM) estimates that in the current year, production will increase by around 33%, totalling 110,000 tonnes whereas the cotton fiber output is expected to reach 36,000 tonnes, placing the extraction rate at around 36%.

Government of China is planning to increase the textile export quota deposit from 30% to 100%. Most textile enterprises oppose this decision as it will build up the fund pressure. Experts believe that the rise of deposit would stop speculation in textile export quota to some extent; however, 100% rise would bring more disadvantages.

The value of EU imports of cotton T-shirts in the second quarter rose 18.6% as leading exporters supplied higher priced items. This was the case with leading suppliers such as Bangladesh and Turkey. However, there was no change for India's unit prices from one year ago. Elsewhere, volumes from China were hard hit by quotas giving Hong Kong trade a boost.

Re-exports of denim trousers from Hong Kong have surprisingly fallen past six months. Although Hong Kong has been more active since the European Union and the United States hit China with quotas, volumes going to these two destinations have dropped from last year. Canada has now replaced the US as top buyer of women's jeans.

China ranks first in the world in the production and trade of linen and textile products. In the second half of 2009, the output of Chinese yarn was 10.962 million tonnes, a year-over-year increase of 9.4%. The demand for linen clothing and products worldwide is projected to rise significantly over the next 5 to 10 years, with a potential worldwide market demand of over $20 billion, with demand in China reaching as high as $4 billion.