July ’21 apparel import data of USA says different story for different manufacturing destinations.
According to OTEXA, USA imported US $ 6.98 billion worth of apparels in July ’21, noting 17.60 per cent Y-o-Y surge.
The top 10 shippers’ tally consists of three countries – Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia – that declined in their volume-wise apparel shipment to USA as compared to July ’20.
Notably, Vietnam is the second largest garment shipper to USA, while Cambodia and Indonesia are other major trade partners to USA. Therefore, failure in picking up export to the level of COVID-19 period, let alone the pre-COVID level, raises serious concerns for the exporters of these countries.
India, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan have grown their apparel shipments to USA significantly in July ’21, both in values and volumes.
India continued staying ahead of Indonesia for straight 7 months – all thanks to its strong performance in the USA market and the unexpected decline of Indonesia.
Three countries in close proximity of USA – Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras – have stayed positive both in values and volumes and noted growth in double digits as compared to July ’20.
See table below to know how top 10 countries fared in US market during H1 ’21 –
Volume-wise Apparel Exports to USA from Top 10 Countries:
(Volume in million SME)
| Countries | July ’20 | July ’21 | % Change |
| World | 2,181.94 | 2,506.28 | 15 |
| China | 851.81 | 1,035.51 | 21.6 |
| Vietnam | 390.82 | 359.72 | (-) 8 |
| Bangladesh | 146.14 | 197.45 | 35.10 |
| India | 59.63 | 79.92 | 34 |
| Indonesia | 70.58 | 65 | (-) 8 |
| Cambodia | 120.67 | 85.61 | (-) 29 |
| Mexico | 67.29 | 77.30 | 15 |
| Honduras | 64.48 | 75.68 | 17.40 |
| Pakistan | 49.45 | 73.85 | 49.30 |
| El Salvador | 48 | 57.39 | 19.60 |
Table 1
Source – OTEXA
(Courtesy – Apparel Resources)
Value-wise Apparel Exports to USA from Top 10 Countries:
(Values in US $ million)
| Countries | July ’20 | July ’21 | % Change |
| World | 5,943.12 | 6,989.77 | 17.60 |
| China | 1,576.90 | 1,820.45 | 15.40 |
| Vietnam | 1,276.73 | 1,259.92 | (-) 1.30 |
| Bangladesh | 421.48 | 569.89 | 35.20 |
| India | 204.03 | 284.16 | 39.30 |
| Indonesia | 262.50 | 266.13 | 1.40 |
| Mexico | 199.48 | 262.96 | 31.80 |
| Honduras | 151.54 | 238 | 57.10 |
| Cambodia | 287.69 | 236 | (-) 18 |
| Pakistan | 103.58 | 193.13 | 86.40 |
| El Salvador | 117.43 | 162.60 | 38.50 |
Table 2
Source – OTEXA
(Courtesy – Apparel Resources)
As a seasoned expert in international trade and apparel industry dynamics, my comprehensive understanding of the subject allows me to delve into the intricacies of the July ’21 apparel import data of the USA. This data, sourced from OTEXA, provides valuable insights into the shifting patterns of apparel imports, and my in-depth knowledge enables me to unravel the nuances for a more profound understanding.
The USA's import of apparel in July ’21, amounting to US $6.98 billion, marks a substantial 17.60% year-on-year surge. However, what sets my analysis apart is the meticulous examination of the top 10 shippers and their performance, unraveling a varied story for different manufacturing destinations.
Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia, despite being significant players, witnessed a decline in volume-wise apparel shipments to the USA compared to July ’20. This downward trend, particularly for Vietnam—the second-largest garment shipper to the USA—raises concerns, emphasizing the nuanced challenges faced by exporters in these countries to reach pre-COVID export levels.
Contrastingly, India, China, Bangladesh, and Pakistan exhibited significant growth in both values and volumes of apparel shipments to the USA in July ’21. India, in particular, maintained its lead over Indonesia for seven consecutive months, attributing its success to a robust performance in the USA market and the unexpected decline in Indonesia's exports.
The article also highlights the positive performance of three countries in close proximity to the USA—Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras. These nations demonstrated growth in double digits in both values and volumes, showcasing a resilient and expanding market presence.
For a comprehensive overview, the table provided details the volume-wise and value-wise apparel exports to the USA from the top 10 countries during H1 ’21. This data, meticulously curated from OTEXA, illustrates the changing dynamics in the global apparel trade landscape.
In conclusion, my expertise allows me to dissect the intricacies of the July ’21 apparel import data, providing a nuanced perspective on the contrasting fortunes of various exporting nations. The article sheds light on the challenges faced by some countries while highlighting the success stories of others in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of international apparel trade.
