A new report ‘Trends in US Textile and Clothing Imports, 2007 Edition’ has been released by Dublin-based research company Research and Markets, covering US import growth, average import prices and the influence of the US economy on imports.

The report states that US textile and clothing imports grew just 2.3% in 2006, following an increase of 8.3% in 2005 and double-digit growth in six of the seven years between 1997 and 2004. Within the 2006 total, imports of made-up textiles rose by 9.1% and their share of all imports increased for the ninth consecutive year, from 16.8% in 1997 to 32.8% in 2006. Apparel, however, continued to hold the highest share, at 43.2%, while, fabric imports fell 6.8%.

Cotton dominates US imports of MFA (Multi-Fibre Arrangement) clothing, with a share of 60%. However, its share of imports of all MFA products stood at 42.9% in 2006, behind that of man-made fibres at 54.5%.

China strengthened its lead as the USA’s largest supplier, in terms of both value and volume, but growth slowed significantly in 2006. In volume terms, imports from China rose by only 11%. This was the first year that growth fell below 40% since China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in late 2001.

US imports from Mexico, its second largest supplier, fell in both value and volume in 2006. The drop in value was the fifth in succession, while, in terms of volume, imports fell for the second year in a row. Imports from Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) countries also fell in value and in volume.

Among Asean countries, imports from Indonesia grew by 27% in value terms—the fastest rate in the top ten—and 18% in volume terms, slightly lower than the 21% rise in imports from Vietnam. Imports from the ‘big three’—Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan—rose by 2.4% in volume and, in so doing, maintained their 7.5% share of the market. In terms of value, however, imports from the three fell by as much as 15%, indicating large price drops. Despite this, overall US import prices rose in 2006, led by increases in China, Indonesia and Bangladesh.