The preliminary data revealed by the Ministry of Commerce informs that, as compared to the first five months of the year 2009, raw material import for apparel production has grown by around 45 percent, during the same period this year.
In 2009, these imports stood at US $548.48 million in terms of value and 102,464 tons in terms of volume and increased to $794.29 million and 210,286 tons in terms of value and volume, respectively.
Revival in the demand for apparels escalated the import volume of raw material, as there is absence of any textile or fabric factories in the country to fulfill the clothing producers' requirements, said the Director Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, Deneral Nguon Meng Tech.
The raw material prices increased recently, but sales have not escalated in proportion to the price hike, said Ken Loo, Secretary General of the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia.
On the other hand, clothing and textile exports went up to $1.06 billion in the initial five months of the current year over $953 million exports of the same period last year, recording a 11 percent rise.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk - India