According to statistics on Japanese exports of textiles and apparel, as compiled by the Japan Textiles Exporters Association based on Ministry of Finance trade statistics, March 2020 exports fell 12% compared to the same month of last year to US$634.67 million.
Exports increased only for nonwoven fabrics, which rose 4% to US$74.35 million.
Exports during the first three months of this year grew 1% to US$1,836.39 million.
Quantitatively, March exports of textile fibers decreased by 5% to 20,646 tons. Exports of polyester staple fiber climbed 21%, while those of rayon staple fiber fell 14%, along with acrylic staple fiber by 8%.
Yarn exports declined by 10% to 9,312 tons. Exports of polyester filament yarn grew 5% to 1,423 tons, but those of nylon filament yarn dropped 28% to 1,955 tons.
Exports of woven and knitted fabrics fell 20% to 66.77 million square meters. Exports of nylon filament fabrics dropped 28% to 6.84 million square meters, and those of polyester filament fabrics decreased by 6% to 19.04 million square meters.
On a value basis, exports to East Asia fell 13% to US$441.63 million. Of this, exports to China sharply declined by 21% to US$166.58 million. Exports to Vietnam (the second largest destination) amounted to US$89.64 million, and remained at about the same level as the year before.
