As per the EURATEX Report, China’s share in the European Union imports has decreased over the years. In 2010, its market share of EU textiles and clothing imports stood at 40.8 per cent, which plunged to 35 per cent in 2015.
Besides, Mediterranean countries, which have long enjoyed the advantage of their proximity to the EU-28, have experienced the same scenario as China. Its share has contracted from more than 20 per cent in 2009 to 18 per cent in 2015. This has benefited SAARC zone… From 19 per cent in 2010, its market share of textiles and clothing imports in 2015 was 24.6 per cent.
Also Read – China’s exports of polyester staple fibre on the rise
The report also mentions that the ASEAN zone, which is smaller than the SAARC area, showed enough drive and economic dynamism to grow its share of textile and clothing imports from over 6 per cent in 2010 to 8.6 per cent in 2015. In full year 2015, these four zones accounted for 86 per cent of total extra-EU textile and clothing imports. Clothing products represented 80 per cent of total imports, a +10.5 per cent gain in value terms.
Products-wise, China triumphed as the top supplier of woven garments’ imports. However, its share continued to decline at 37.6 per cent. The Mediterranean countries also witnessed decline in this segment, ending up with a 16.5 per cent share. For imports of knitted garments, as the main supplier to this market with a 34 per cent share, China was faced with the intense vigour of its direct competitors in the SAARC, especially the ASEAN areas. The Mediterranean countries’ share stood at 17.5 per cent in knitted garments category.
Also Read – Vietnam’s cotton yarn export to China soars
In terms of exports, 57.5 per cent of extra-EU exports went to four main defined groups: the Mediterranean countries with 13.7 per cent, the group of autonomous countries with 11.8 per cent, the EFTA group of countries with 14.2 per cent and the NAFTA group with 17.8 per cent last year. These four groups accounted for 59 per cent of extra-EU textile and clothing exports in 2014. Woven fabrics were the major textiles exported by the EU. These represented 24.4 per cent of total textile and clothing exports. Regarding clothing, woven and knitted articles represented respectively 32 per cent and 17 per cent of total EU textile and clothing exports.
