US apparel imports nearly rose 6% in volume terms in December 2004, finally up 4% in 2004. US apparel imports had increased by 9.32% in 2003, by comparison.
China clearly faced difficulties in the last month with quotas. US imports from the PRC only rose 13% in volume terms, a lower level than experienced in the recent past.
Imports from China had increased by 46% in 2003, finally rising 29.74% in 2004.
A series of Asian contries took advantage of the lack of US quotas in China.
Imports from Bangladesh were up 37% after already surging 51% in November, in sharp contrast with the decline observed in the first part of the year.
Imports from Indonesia, Cambodia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Philippines enjoyed a double-digit growth in December. Shipments from Vietnam even surged 45% after being up 90% in November, a clear sign that quotas were far from fully filled in the past year.
Among major suppliers, Cambodia finally got the largest growth in 2004 with US imports from the Kingdom rising 20.27%. Pakistan, India and Indonesia also took advantage from much larger sales to the US.
US imports from Mexico continued falling, although only down 5%. Imports from Honduras, the Dominican Republic and El Salvador were also dropped in the past year, prefiguring difficulties that Central American countries will face in 2005.
Duty-free imports from Southern Africa and Jordan continued surging, at the same time.
The rise in prices depressed US demand in a series of apparel categories.
US imports of man-made fiber apparel were up 12% in volume terms in December 2004, however, finally rising 8% in 2004.
Cotton apparel imports did not change in the past year, in sharp contrast.
Elimination of quota costs in 2005 could boost imports in cotton categories, however.
US imports of man-made fiber suits and cotton skirts sharply rose in the past year.
