World textile and apparel trade and production trends: China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, February 2024

World textile and apparel trade and production trends: China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, February 2024

This latest edition of our flagship series of reports contains statistical data, information and insight into the textile and apparel industries in East Asia. In particular, it identifies important trends and includes information on: textile and clothing production; textile and clothing imports by importing country and supplying country; and textile and clothing exports by exporting country and destination country. Also, it discusses industry strategy and provides an outlook for the future. The report presents a wealth of information, and is essential for anyone who is considering sourcing from, selling to or investing in China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, and their export markets.

Chinese textile and clothing exports were down during January-November 2023 compared with the corresponding period a year earlier. Also, production of yarns and fabrics in China fell in 2023 as a whole although production of man-made fibres was up significantly. In Japan, textile and clothing exports were up during January-November 2023 but imports were down after domestic retail sales of textiles and clothing had risen only minimally in 2022. In South Korea and Taiwan there were declines in textile and clothing exports during January-November 2023. Reflecting these falls, textile production and clothing production in South Korea and Taiwan declined in 2023 as a whole.