The latest data shows that US imports of clothing plummeted in the first six months of 2020 as the large decline in retail sales of clothing (see the Weekly Newsletter of 10th July) has hit hard. US imports of clothing in the January-June period this year were down by 28% in quantity and down by 30% in value. It is the lowest total volume in the first half a year since 2009 (as the Global Financial Crisis hit) and the lowest total value since 2002. All fibres have been hit similarly by the decline. Imports of cotton clothing was down by 18%, imports of synthetic fibre clothing were down 14% and imports of wool clothing were 16% lower.
Full details, including a chart showing the trends in US imports of clothing by fibre (wool, cotton and synthetic fibre), are provided in this week’s NCWSBA Weekly Newsletter. Available to NCWSBA members.