INSIGHTS African nations' fabric imports totalled $1.63 billion in the first quarter of 2024, marking a 7.69 per cent decline from Q1 2023. China was the largest supplier, holding a 40.56 per cent market share, followed by Turkiye, Italy, France, and Spain. In 2023, total imports were $7.08 billion. After a drop to in 2020, imports rebounded to $7.08 billion in 2021.

INSIGHTS Messe Frankfurt France's textile and apparel trade fair will gather nearly 1,200 exhibitors from 26 countries at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from July 1-3, 2024. New highlights include a Yarn Expo pavilion, a Leather Trend area, and a Chinese Brands Gallery. The event will also showcase near sourcing options from countries like Portugal, Turkiye, and Serbia. Nearly 1,200 exhibitors from 26 countries will gather in Hall 7 of Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, from July 1 to 3, 2024.

INSIGHTS From 5-7 June, the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center hosted the Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo. Nearly 1,000 exhibitors presented diverse apparel products, attracting 20,000 visits from 45 countries. Highlights included trend forums, sustainability displays, and key Asian zones. The event facilitated over 250 business matching meetings. From 5 – 7 June 2024, the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center (Futian) was the sourcing hotspot of South Chi

INSIGHTS A team of US researchers has developed a new fabric that can help urban residents survive the worst impacts of heat, with applications in clothing, building and car design, and food storage. In tests, the material kept 2.3 degrees C cooler than the broadband emitter fabric used for outdoor endurance sports and 8.9 degrees C cooler than commercialised silk. Researchers at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) at the University of Chicago have developed a new wearable fabr

INSIGHTS Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2024, celebrating its 30th anniversary, will introduce the Digital Solutions Zone. This new zone will showcase innovative technologies like additive manufacturing, big data analytics, and digital sustainability solutions. The event will take place from August 27-29 at National Exhibition and Convention Center. In the midst of the business world’s rapid adoption of new technology and the evolving environmental landscap

INSIGHTS The euro area's annual inflation rate rose to 2.6 per cent in May 2024 from 2.4 per cent in April, down from 6.1 per cent a year earlier. The EU's inflation rate increased to 2.7 per cent from 2.6 per cent. Lowest inflation rates were in Latvia and highest in Romania. Inflation fell in eleven EU states, remained stable in two, and rose in fourteen. The euro area’s annual inflation rate increased to 2.6 per cent in May 2024, up from 2.4 per cent in April, according to the latest

INSIGHTS US experienced a 9.53 per cent increase in textile and apparel imports, reaching 30,095.121 million SME in Jan-Apr. Apparel imports rose 1.05 per cent, while non-apparel textiles grew 12.76 per cent. Cotton and MMF imports also saw significant growth. However, exports declined by 2.95 per cent, with apparel, yarn and fabric exports all showing YoY decreases.

INSIGHTS China's fabric exports dominated their textile trade with India in both 2023 and Q1 2024, accounting for over 64 per cent. Fabric exports to India grew in Q1 2024 compared to last year, while yarn and fibre shipments declined. In 2023, China's total textile exports to India were slightly lower than 2022, with fabric being the most prominent product category.

INSIGHTS In May 2024, China's export container shipping price index increased by 14.3 per cent month-on-month (MoM), reaching an average CCFI of 1,358.71, according to the Shanghai Shipping Exchange. The West Africa service saw the highest growth in May at 53.3 per cent MoM, followed by South America at 50.6 per cent and South Africa at 29.6 per cent. China's export container shipping price index saw an increase of 14.3 per cent month-on-month (MoM) in May 2024, according to data from the Sha

INSIGHTS The China-Bangladesh FTA is imperative for the enhancement of bilateral economic and trade relations, stated Chinese ambassador in Dhaka Yao Wen. The Chinese ambassador emphasised current Agreement on the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investments, signed in 1996, no longer matches deepening ties between China and Bangladesh. The China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is essential for enhancing bilateral economic and trade relations, stated Chinese ambassador Yao Wen