Weaving yarn supply slowdown impacts output & imports

30 Jun '07

1 min read

Data released by the Japan Wool Spinner's Association shows worsted yarn production by Japan in the first 3 months of 2007 was up moderately from the same time in 2006.

Domestic production remained solid while worsted yarn imports to Japan in Q1 2007 fell for the first time since Q1 2006. For both domestic production and imports, the total supply of worsted yarn in Japan for Q1 2007 was unchanged year-on-year.

The slowdown in both production and imports was the result of curtailment in weaving yarn supply. In January to March, worsted weaving yarn production remained slightly below a year earlier. Although on a much smaller scale, worsted machine-knitting yarn production gained speed, rising for the 5th straight quarter.

While weaving yarn imports sagged in Q1 2007, machine-knitting yarn imports in the same period almost doubled.

According to trade reports knitted outerwear will be popular for both the men's and women's market for Autumn/Winter 2007/08 retail, following consumer preference trends towards compact and lightweight winter clothing.

This trend has been a likely contributor, along with the current popularity of worsted knitwear and jersey fabrics, to the relative buoyancy of knitting yarn activities.

Australian Wool Innovation Limited

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