http://www.emergingtextiles.com Textile and Clothing Trade Information en 25 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080725-clothing-eu-t-shirt-import EU imports of cotton T-shirts slowed down in the first quarter of 2008 with China and Bangladesh gaining new market shares. Import prices were subject to sharp differences depending on origins as the rise in production costs was more or less absorbed by the higher euro. Chinese prices remained relatively stable, if considering yuan's appreciation. 25 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080528-home-eu-cotton-terry-towel-import EU imports of cotton terry towels from China continued strongly rising in the first quarter of 2008 to the detriment of Turkish suppliers. Importers mostly absorbed the rise in Asian production costs thanks to the new jump in the euro. Import prices strongly increased in US$ terms but remained stable in euro terms, as reflected by our series of statistical tables. 24 Jul 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080724-spandex-market-price Spandex prices stopped falling in China after producers decided cutting their operating rates. Demand remains very weak, however, and new capacities are expected coming on stream in the second half, as part of previous expansion plans. Prices were halved since peaking in April 2007. 24 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080724-polyester-eu-filament-yarn-import EU imports of textured polyester filament yarns slightly fell over the first quarter. China's share further soared with its shipments again surging. Turkish exports to the EU significantly declined at the same time, partly due to the high level in its filament prices. Italy and Spain remained the largest importers of textured yarns from outside the EU over the period. 23 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080723-yarn-export-india Yarn prices further rose in July on the Indian export market, reflecting a new increase in cotton prices. Demand from foreign countries was extremely weak as a result. Indian spinners are turning to the domestic market where yarn prices are at a higher level, our India Correspondent reports. Blended yarn prices stayed unchanged while viscose yarn prices further fell. 23 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080723-apparel-us-import-china The United States could monitor clothing imports from China in 2009 in order to possibly launch anti-dumping investigations after quotas will have been removed at the end of the current year. The already existing programme for monitoring shipments from Vietnam would actually be extended for an additional year with its coverage expanded to Chinese products. 23 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080723-inflation-report Prices further soared in June in Asia with inflation reaching 26.80% in Vietnam, 28.20% in Sri Lanka and 21.50% in Pakistan. Such a jump in the cost of living may trigger significant increases in wages in clothing plants after margins were already reduced by higher textile material prices. On the other hand, the return of inflation may also result in a decline in local currencies against the US dollar, making exports less expensive in US$ terms. We below compare inflation rates in low-cost countries with the change in currency values over the first half. 22 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080722-apparel-us-import U.S. apparel imports from China, Vietnam and Indonesia sharply changed over the first half in a series of categories. New shares of the U.S. import market were often taken by Vietnam but Indonesia also got better results for specific products. Shipments from China were often lower. China's shares of the U.S. apparel import market remained however overwhelming, except for quota categories. 22 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080722-viscose-pakistan Viscose prices were mixed in the last weeks in Pakistan with locally-made fibers rising in rupee terms while imported fibers were mostly down. Prices rose on the blended yarn market of polyester-viscose, mainly due to higher production costs in the country, our Pakistan Correspondent reports. 22 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080722-polyester-market-price Polyester prices remained unmoved in the last seven days in China. Fiber processors are waiting for lower rates after crude oil futures sharply decreased in New York. Fiber makers however reduced their production in order to maintain prices are current levels. Near-term price trends look more than ever unpredictable.