Rising production costs in the developed economies force manufacturers to relocate units in the developing countries such as China. After food, textile is a major commodity group certain to enjoy tremendous surge in consumption demand. Consumption in American and European markets is set to remain as a result of demographic pressure, dress habits and lifestyle.
According to the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce, in 2008, U.S. imports of textiles and apparel from China increased 1.10% over 2007 while its total imports of textiles and apparel decreased 3.41%. OTEXA data show that U.S imports of 222 category (knitted fabrics) from China in January to February this year reached 48,118,000 square meters, a y-on-y increase of 119 percent; imports of 347 category (men's cotton trousers) hit 1,671,000 dozens, a y-on-y increase of 71 percent; imports of category 348(female-style cotton pants) scored 4,390,000 dozens, a y-on-y increase of 53 percent.
