The Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Commerce Department reported that September 2016 imports of textiles and apparel declined by 5.9% compared to the same month of last year to 5,487.6 million square meter equivalents (SME). In value, imports fell 13% to US$9,200.5 million.
September imports of textiles decreased by 6% and 21% respectively to 2,956 million SME valued at US$1,812.9 million. Apparel imports declined by 5.8% and 11% respectively to 2,531.5 million SME worth US$7,387.6 million.
January-September 2016 imports of textiles and apparel decreased by 2.4% in volume and 6.3% in value year-on-year to 47,278.6 million SME worth US$79,999.7 million. Textile imports decreased by 3% and 10.2% respectively to 26,860.2 million SME valued at US$18,357.8 million. Apparel imports declined by 1.6% and 5% respectively to 20,418.4 million SME worth US$61,641.9 million.
Textile and apparel imports from China during January-September 2016 decreased by 5.3% and 11% respectively to 22,341 million SME valued at US$29,424.3 million.
Textile imports declined by 6.5% and 16.5% respectively to 13,934.8 million SME worth US$8,171.1 million. Apparel imports were down 3.3% and 8.6% respectively to 8,406.3 million SME valued at US$21,253.2 million.