From January to April 2024,despite facing multiple pressures,China’s overall export performance of clothing and home textile products remained stable.According to China Customs statistics,in the first four months of the year,China’s total export value of clothing (including clothing accessories) reached $45.56 billion,a slight decrease of 0.4% year-on-year; during the same period,China’s total export value of home textile products reached $10.12 billion,an increase of 0.8% year-on-year.Industry experts predict that despite the pressures,China’s exports of clothing and home textile products will gradually stabilize and recover in the future.

In the first four months of this year,the export structure of Chinese clothing and home textile products has changed significantly.The export volume of knitted and woven clothing has increased by more than 10%,but the unit price has decreased significantly year - on - year.The export of towels and blankets has declined,while the export of other home textile product categories has increased.

Specific data shows that in the first four months,the export value of Chinese knitted clothing was 20.29 billion US dollars,an increase of 2.6% year - on - year; the export volume was 6.57 billion pieces,an increase of 10.1% year - on - year; the export price decreased by 6.8% year - on - year.The export value of woven clothing was 19.6 billion US dollars,a decrease of 2.4% year - on - year; the export volume was 4.18 billion pieces,an increase of 10.8% year - on - year; the export price decreased by 11.9% year - on - year.The export value of clothing accessories was 4.15 billion US dollars,a decrease of 6.2% year - on - year.

China TextilesThe relevant person in charge of the Clothing Branch of the Chamber of Commerce pointed out that there are many reasons for the increase in the export volume and decrease in the price of knitted and woven clothing: first,the export price increased significantly in the same period last year; second,although the international market demand has recovered,low - priced products are more attractive in the market; finally,the proportion of products with a lower unit price in exports has increased.From the perspective of specific categories,the export of knitted T - shirts,shirts,underwear,bedding,tablecloths,toilet and kitchen textiles has increased rapidly,while the export of outerwear,blankets,and towels has declined significantly.Data shows that in the first four months,the export of Chinese knitted T - shirts increased by 27.2% year - on - year,the export of shirts increased by 9.3% year - on - year,the export of overcoats/down jackets and suits/leisure suits decreased by 20.4% and 11.1% respectively,and the export of towels decreased by 19.3% year - on - year.

Since the beginning of this year,the export market of Chinese clothing and home textile products has shown some new characteristics.The export to the European and American markets has gradually stabilized,while the export to some emerging markets has grown rapidly.

Data shows that in the first four months,Chinas export value of clothing to the United States was 9.28 billion US dollars,an increase of 0.3% year - on - year; the export value of home textile products reached 3.13 billion US dollars,an increase of 8.1% year - on - year.The export value of clothing to the EU was 6.55 billion US dollars,a decrease of 0.8% year - on - year; the export value of home textile products was 1.22 billion US dollars,an increase of 6.4% year - on - year.

Although the share of Chinese clothing in the US and European markets has rebounded,its share in the Japanese and Australian markets has declined.Data shows that in the first three months,the share of Chinese clothing in the US import market was 21.3%,an increase of 1.8 percentage points year - on - year; the share in the EU was 26.5%,an increase of 1.3 percentage points year - on - year; the share in Japan was 47.4%,a decrease of 2.6 percentage points year - on - year; the share in Australia was 58.4%,a decrease of 1.4 percentage points year - on - year.

Chinas clothing exports to emerging markets such as Central Asia and ASEAN have maintained rapid growth.In the first four months,Chinas export value of clothing to the countries along the Belt and Road was 20.72 billion US dollars,an increase of 1% year - on - year; the export value of clothing to ASEAN was 5.21 billion US dollars,an increase of 4.3% year - on - year.

China’s clothing exports to emerging markets such as Central Asia and ASEAN have maintained rapid growth.In the first four months,China’s clothing exports to countries jointly building the "Belt and Road" amounted to $20.72 billion,a year-on-year increase of 1%; clothing exports to ASEAN reached $5.21 billion,up 4.3% year-on-year.

At present,the complexity,severity and uncertainty of the external environment have increased significantly,and the recovery of external demand has not yet stabilized.The Chinese industry is facing many new problems.Recently,

The high cost of freight has increased the export costs of clothing and home textile products.Since mid - April,the sea freight price for Chinas exports has soared,reaching the highest level since September 2022.The China Export Container Freight Index released by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange shows that the freight rates of the European and American routes have broken through a 20 - month high.In addition,the White House of the United States announced plans to impose tariffs on Chinese masks and other products,which will have an impact on the market for Chinese - made products.High costs have increased the export expenses for apparel and home textile products.Since mid-April,Chinas export shipping prices have surged rapidly,reaching their highest levels since September 2022.The China Export Container Freight Index released by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange shows that freight rates for European and American routes have hit a 20-month high.

Additionally,the U.S.White House announced plans to impose additional tariffs on Chinese-made products such as masks,which will impactthe market.

Overall,Chinas clothing and home textile exports in March and April this year experienced a significant decline due to the high base last year.Since May last year,the base has been declining.Industry insiders expect that exports will gradually stabilize and pick up in the future.Facing many uncertainties and challenges,the Clothing Sub - chamber of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles suggests that Chinese clothing export enterprises should stabilize their share in traditional developed markets,improve the response speed of the supply chain and the integration ability of the value chain,and deeply explore regional markets such as developing countries and ASEAN.