Sterling export performance by cotton apparel segment

15 Feb '06

1 min read

Statistics reveal that the year 2005 saw Indonesia's overall textile sector blooming, specially its cotton sector.

The total value of apparel exports to the US grew 18.4 percent in the first ten months of 2005 leading up to October, over 2004.

However, November and December saw the US emerging as a major importer of cotton products, with apparel registering 73 percent rise, over 2004.

Total cotton exports reached 402.465 million square meters by the end of 2005, an increase by 49.5 percent.

Indonesia has low labour costs and is growing as an alternative to Chinese imports.

Among all the apparel products, the fastest growth was recorded in women and girl's slacks, which increased 93.2 percent to reach 64.982 million square meters.

Though quantity was lesser, the growth was swift in women and girl's coats sales with 177.8 percent rise, while that of men and boy's trousers rose by 73.2 percent.

Consumption of women and girl's knit blouses went up 138.5 percent and that of men and boy's knit shirts increased by 277.1 percent.

Sales of cotton shirts recorded a 265 percent rise and cotton nightwear went up 44.3 percent.

Experts have forecast textile and apparel exports to reach US $8.35 billion mark in 2006.

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