In 2022, both Serbia’s imports and exports experienced impressive growth. Interestingly, the country’s inbound and outbound trade of apparel was almost equal, with apparel exports increasing by $696 mn and imports reaching $700.623 mn in the same year. Trousers and shorts dominated the country’s import basket, while socks were the most important apparel products in its export basket.
Serbia’s apparel imports grew to $700.623 mn in 2022 from $625.580 mn in 2021. In 2018, the inbound shipment was $456.530 mn, which increased to $483.595 mn in 2019 and $490.836 mn in 2020, according to market report.
Meanwhile, Serbia’s apparel exports increased to $696.402 mn in 2022 from $615.018 mn in 2021. The exports remained almost steady during the last couple of years, making Serbia a net importer country from an exporter country. The exports were recorded at $566.437 mn in 2020, $637.215 mn in 2019, and $674.422 mn in 2018.
Socks were the largest apparel product exported at $228.064 mn in 2022, constituting 33.09 percent of Serbia’s total exports of garments. Trousers and shorts, innerwear, T-shirts, Jerseys and Jackets and blazers were the other major apparel products exported by the country, as per market report.
In Serbia’s basket of imported garments, trousers and shorts dominated with 21.41 percent of the total imports, valued at $137.452 mn. Other items such as jerseys, T-shirts, socks, shirts, dresses, innerwear, jackets, and blazers were also imported.
Overall, the trade data indicates that Serbia has the capacity and skills to develop its textile industry. While it presently imports apparel according to its regular needs, it is capable of competing with well-established apparel exporting countries.
