Apparel Online Bangladesh Magazine May'17 | Page 56

EXPORT STATISTICS In February, US drastically goes down in its apparel imports January-February 2017 After witnessing a solid start in January 2017, US apparel imports have drastically fallen in February, from that a year earlier, with shipments being depressed in the first two months of the year, collectively. The new year holidays have ended in January this year, possibly affecting the level of February shipments. In value terms, shipments to the US market in February have even plunged by 13.58% after unit prices have declined by 2%. It is the lowest drop in unit values since May last year, meaning that US buyers find it difficult to get lower prices these days. The rise of labour costs in Asia and the lack of productivity gains explain the weaker unit prices. However, President Trump’s aversion from imports might worse the situation for the country’s apparel imports in upcoming months. Global Apparel Imports by the US: Jan.-Feb. 2017 Total Decrease in Quantity 1 Foundation garments export from Vietnam to US surges During the review period, Vietnam noted surge in its export of foundation garments to US. Value terms rose by 216.36%, while the volumes were up by 114.83% on Y-o-Y basis. 1.02 % Total Decrease in Value 4.46 % Percentage Decrease in UVR 2 Babieswear exports from India to US continue to fall Babieswear exports from India saw downturn both in value and volume. Values plunged by (-) 2.50% while volumes decreased by (-) 10.05% during the period under review. 3.43 % (Average UVR in review period was US $ 2.91 as against US $ 3.01 in the same period last year) Total global apparel imports by the US - Jan.-Feb. 2017 Jan.-Feb. 2016 (Qty in SME & Value in US mn $) Jan.-Feb. 2017 % Change Type of Apparel Change in Value Cotton 6.83 % MMF 1.05 % Wool 7.88 % Silk & Veg 16.56 % Change in Quantity Qty Value Qty Value Qty Value 2040.094 6756.80 1930.965 6295.114 -5.35 -6.83 Wool 17.54 320.38 16.349 295.128 -6.79 -7.88 MMF 2418.81 6280.85 2488.787 6214.714 2.89 -1.05 76.232 357.58 70.002 298.37 -8.17 -16.56 4552.68 13715.60 4506.10 13103.33 -1.02 -4.46 Cotton Silk & Veg Total Total apparel exports to the US by 6 major manufacturing destinations - Jan.-Feb. 2017 (Qty in SME & Value in US mn $) Jan.-Feb. 2016 Cotton 5.35 % MMF 2.89 % Wool 6.79 % Silk & Veg 8.17 % [The information has been extracted from US custom site and further analyzed.] Jan.-Feb. 2017 % Change Countries Qty Value Qty Value Qty Value India 191.23 699.14 190.536 663.589 -0.36 -5.08 Bangladesh 345.90 982.70 343.705 927.129 -0.63 -5.66 1886.691 4787.22 1853.036 4375.928 -1.78 -8.59 Pakistan 90.07 205.76 88.575 208.309 -1.65 1.24 Sri Lanka 82.72 347.42 81.333 342.77 -1.67 -1.34 Vietnam 587.99 1878.90 627.003 1955.062 6.63 4.05 China 56 Apparel Online Bangladesh | MAY 2017 | www.apparelresources.com