In January 2007, Italy’s apparel imports expanded 7.4 percent in volume terms to 53,647 tons. Hidden behind this modest growth was a change in sourcing patterns that will have major ramifications if it continues throughout 2007. The largest supplier was China, with January imports from China surging 41.3 percent to 25,189 tons. This gave China a 46.95 percent market share, which was sharply up from the 40.26 market share that prevailed last season. The second largest supplier was Bangladesh, with imports from this origin increasing 20.4 percent to 4,309 tons.
Imports from Tunisia (+17.6 percent), India (+22.5 percent) and Turkey (+10.3 percent) expanded as well. The big losers were the European suppliers of Romania and Bulgaria. Imports from Romania declined 34.3 percent to only 2,200 tons. Romania was the second largest supplier to Italy in 2006, but dropped to sixth in January 2007. If this trend continues, it will mean big problems for Romania’s apparel exporters. Nearby Bulgaria is another major supplier to Italy, but January imports from this origin fell 15.5 percent to only 710 tons.
Italy’s exports also expanded in January 2007, increasing 2.1 percent to 19,222 tons. France replaced Germany as the top market destination. Exports to Spain grew 2 percent to 2,153 tons, while exports to Germany fell 12.3 percent to 2,079 tons. Strong shipments were noted to Spain, Albania and Switzerland.
