The import of textiles and apparel by the US continues to grow at high rate and rose by 31.59 percent to $54.859 bn in the first five months of 2022, compared to $41.688 bn in the same period of 2021. With 27.01 percent share China continues to be the largest supplier of textiles and clothing to the US, followed by Vietnam with 13.74 percent.
Apparel constituted the bulk of textiles and garments imports by the US in January-May 2022, and was valued at $40.939 bn, while non-apparel imports accounted for $13.920 bn, according to the latest Major Shippers Report, released by the US Department of Commerce.
Segment-wise, among the top 10 apparel suppliers to the US, imports from Indonesia and Bangladesh shot up by 59.75 percent and 59.06 percent year-on-year respectively. Imports from Pakistan and India too grew at 56.49 percent and 55.06 percent respectively. The imports from Honduras, which is also among the top 10 suppliers, registered a growth of 31.18 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
In the non-apparel category, among the top 10 suppliers, imports from Cambodia soared by 66.88 percent year-on-years. Imports from Vietnam and Italy too climbed 31.05 percent and 29.91 percent respectively. On the other hand, imports from Turkey dipped by 9.38 percent.
Of the total US textile and apparel imports of $54.859 bn during the period under review, man-made fibre products were worth $27.534 bn, while cotton products accounted for $24.521 bn, followed by $1.510 bn of products from silk and vegetable fibres, and $1.294 bn of wool products.
In 2020, the US textile and apparel imports had decreased sharply, mainly on account of the COVID-19 pandemic induced disruption, to $89.596 bn compared to imports of $111.033 bn in 2019. But imports rebounded again in 2021 to surpass pre-pandemic level and ended at $113.938 bn.
The latest import figures indicate that US economy is witnessing fast recovery, and the world’s largest economy is continuing to support economic recovery in developing countries.
