As per a OTEXA report, apparel and textile imports to the US saw a 4.5per cent decline, equivalent to 8.4 billion sq. mt. (SME), in September this year compared to 8.8 billion SME during the same period the previous year. Over the first nine months of 2023, imports recorded a significant 16.5per cent decrease, amounting to 71.0 billion SME compared to 85.0 billion SME in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Specifically, imports from China saw a 9.5per cent increase, reaching 3.3 billion SME, compared to 3.1 billion SME the previous year. In contrast, imports from Vietnam declined by 12.4per cent, equivalent to 5.41 million SME in September, compared to 6.2 million SME the previous year. Imports from Turkey increased 9.7   per cent, totaling 4.8 million SME, compared to 4.4 SME the previous year. Israel experienced a remarkable surge, with imports rising by 914per cent to 4.95 million SME in September, compared to 0.5 million SME the previous year.

However, Egypt's exports to the US saw a substantial decline of 84per cent, amounting to 1.1 million SME, compared to 6.7 million SME the previous year. Imports from Malaysia surged by 76.3per cent in September compared to the same period last year, with the country shipping 6.1 million SME, up from 3.5 million SME the previous year. Meanwhile, imports from Pakistan increased by 1.1per cent, totaling 2.7 million SME, compared to just under 2.7 million SME the previous year. Shipments from India experienced an 11per cent decline, reaching 7.1 million SME in September, compared to 8.0 million SME the previous year.