The volume of apparel imports into the US was 12 per cent higher during the nine months to September 2005 than for the corresponding period in 2004.
Shipments to the US during the month of September were seven per cent higher than for the same month last year, according to data from the US Department of Commerce.
Output from China continued to be much stronger than in 2004 but with a 66 per cent increase, shipments in September were not as large as the surging figures seen in previous months.
Embargoes on several important categories have added to the slowdown, as well as installing uncertainty amongst US buyers.
Despite this, China retained a large chunk of the US apparel imports market accounting for 27 per cent in volume terms, down from 30.5 per cent in August.
Imports from Mexico showed no sign of bouncing back at the expense of China and is looking over its shoulder at the fast-approaching Bangladesh in third place.
Bangladesh shipments increased both 20 per cent for September and for January-September compared to the same periods last year.
Honduras and Cambodia increased output by 10 and 20 per cent respectively.
Hong Kong has seen a buzz in activity since China was hit by safeguard action, and increased shipments to the US by 10 per cent in September.
Egypt, attracting outside investment, increased US-bound exports during September by an impressive 84 per cent.
This investment, encouraged by the newly up-and-running QIZ (Qualifying Industrial Zone) has helped it attract interest from US buyers especially with average prices falling by 25 per cent in September compared to September 2004 to $2.32 per square metre equivalent.
This was well below the world average of $3.14 and China's $2.58.
China, El Salvador and Honduras managed to cut prices significantly; 13, 11 and 9.6 per cent respectively.
El Salvador offered apparel at an average $1.90 per square metre equivalent and by far the cheapest option amongst the top US suppliers.
Cambodia and neighbouring Vietnam both raised prices 6.4 and 9.3 per cent respectively.
