EU textile exports have fallen in both volume and value for the first nine months of the year, according to latest data from Europe.
The EU exported a total of 2.36 million tonnes of textile products in the year to September, 5 per cent lower than for the same period in 2004.
The value of the exports fell by just under 2 per cent to 14.3 billion euros.
Sales to all major markets, with the exception of China, have fallen throughout 2005.
Turkey has dropped to second place in volume terms on the list of top destinations for EU textile shipments with 25 per cent less sales than in 2004.
Although the volume of shipments to the US fell slightly, it was not as great as that to Turkey.
The US has consequently replaced Turkey as top buyer accounting for 11 per cent of total volume transported in 2005.
The value of exports to the US has risen by a little over 1 per cent.
Romania also bought less textile from the EU but remains second largest importer in value terms, accounting for 11 per cent.
China was the only major importer of EU textile to actually increase orders.
Shipments increased by 12 per cent in both volume and value with the country increasing its share of EU textile exports to 8 per cent.
The increase in sales to China has helped EU global textile exports which would have otherwise seen a 6 per cent volume fall.
Sales to former colonies (ACP) have slumped by nearly 14 per cent in volume indicating continued problems in their domestic apparel industries.
Prices are on the move; up 3.2 per cent overall to an average 6.08 euros per kilo compared to 5.89 euros per kilo last year.
Turkey and Bulgaria have both been hit by price hikes of 20 and 25 per cent respectively.
Prices offered to Chinese buyers remained stable at 3.33 euros per kilo whilst US buyers paid 6.59 euros per kilo; up 3.6 per cent.
Morocco was the only major beneficiary of falling prices paying 6.75 per cent less than 2004.
