-Overview of China’s apparel exports

Clothing exports in January 2015 were US$15.82 billion, down 12.5%; exports in February were US$13.28 billion, up 99.4%. The surge in apparel exports in February was in sharp contrast to the sharp drop in January. The time difference between the Spring Festival this year and last year and the change in the comparison base are the main reasons for the rapid rebound in exports in February. From January to February, the cumulative export of clothing was US$29.1 billion, an increase of 17.7%.
1. Markets to Europe and the United States maintained growth, and exports to the ASEAN market increased significantly
From January to February, exports to traditional markets such as the EU and the United States maintained growth. Exports to the EU were US$7.05 billion, an increase of 14.3%, accounting for 24.2%; exports to the United States were US$5.39 billion, an increase of 24.4%, accounting for 18.5%. Exports to Japan have experienced continuous negative growth since February last year, and have gradually recovered this year. The export volume from January to February was US$2.96 billion, an increase of 3%, accounting for 10.2%. Exports to Hong Kong maintained the downward trend last year, with exports to Hong Kong reaching US$1.06 billion, a decrease of 18%, accounting for 3.6%.
In terms of emerging markets, exports to ASEAN grew rapidly, with exports amounting to US$2.46 billion, an increase of 45%, accounting for 8.4%. Among them, exports to Thailand and Vietnam have seen the most significant growth, both exceeding 50%. Exports to Russia continued the downward trend at the end of last year, with exports amounting to US$750 million, a decrease of 33.7%. In addition, the growth rates for countries such as South Korea, Brazil, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates all exceeded 30%.
2. Exports of woven and knitted garments increased
From January to February, woven clothing exports were US$13.33 billion, an increase of 26%, and the export volume increased by 21.4%. Knitted garment exports reached US$11.97 billion, an increase of 8.6%, and the export volume increased by 10%.
In terms of clothing materials, cotton garment exports were US$10.88 billion, an increase of 8.8%; chemical fiber garment exports were US$10.98 billion, an increase of 26.7%; silk garment exports were US$220 million, an increase of 22.3%; woolen garment exports were US$360 million, An increase of 20.1%.
3. The top five exporting provinces and cities all grew, but there was a big gap in growth rates between the central and western provinces and cities
The top five provinces and cities in apparel exports all maintained growth. Guangdong and Zhejiang ranked in the top two with exports of US$6.06 and US$5.53 billion respectively, a year-on-year increase of 32.9% and 20.6%; Jiangsu’s exports amounted to US$37.52 billion, a year-on-year increase of 9.4%, ranking second. The export volume of Fujian and Shanghai was US$2.88 and 2.22 billion respectively, an increase of 20.5% and 7.8% respectively, ranking fourth and fifth. In addition, the export volume of Qinghai, Yunnan, and Hunan grew rapidly, with increases of 437.7%, 176.1%, and 174.7% respectively. The export volume of Xinjiang, Heilongjiang and other provinces and cities fell rapidly, with declines of 43.9% and 36.1% respectively.