EU releases textile and footwear figures
The European Union (EU) has released figures for the textile and footwear sector in 2009.
Its figures show that the EU exported textiles worth EUR30.4billion (excluding intra-EU trade) and imported textiles worth EUR74.9billion in 2009. The region’s most significant export destinations were Switzerland (12.7%), Russia (11.9%), the US (9.4%), Turkey (6.3%) and Tunisia (5%).
It continues to dominate global markets for upmarket and high-quality textiles and clothing. However, the EU region’s textiles and clothing sector was severely impacted by the economic crisis. Textile exports fell 18% in 2009, while clothing exports fell 16%. Textile and clothing imports fell 11%.
The EU continues to be a major producer and exporter of footwear, especially high-quality, high-value fashion shoes. In 2009, the EU exported €4.7 billion worth of shoes and imported shoes worth EUR12.4 billion.
The EU’s most significant export destinations for footwear were the US, Russia, Switzerland and Japan.
