-Overview of China’s apparel exports

Due to the improvement of the current foreign trade environment and the low year-on-year base last year, China’s clothing exports have rebounded strongly. In March 2016, exports of clothing were US$8.93 billion, an increase of 33.5%. From January to March, the country’s total apparel exports totaled US$33.18 billion, a decrease of 7.3%.
​1. Exports to the United States resumed growth
Exports to the United States increased slightly in the first quarter of 2016, with exports reaching US$6.71 billion, an increase of 1.5%. Exports to the EU continued to decline, with exports reaching US$7.16 billion, down 12.7%. Exports to Japan were US$3.86 billion, down 5.1%.
Exports to Russia amounted to US$1 billion, an increase of 4.7%. Exports to Australia were US$1.04 billion, an increase of 4.7%. Exports to South Korea were US$1.15 billion, an increase of 6.6%. Exports to the Middle East were US$2.98 billion, an increase of 5.7%.
Exports to Hong Kong were US$1.72 billion, an increase of 24.9%. Exports to ASEAN were US$2.1 billion, down 34.2%. Exports to Latin America were US$1.71 billion, down 29.9%; exports to Africa were US$2.01 billion, down 5.1%.
​2. Decline in exports of major categories of clothing
In the first quarter, woven garment exports were US$14.92 billion, down 8.7%. Knitted garment exports were US$13.78 billion, down 6.1%. Fur leather apparel exports reached US$270 million, an increase of 34.8%. In terms of commodity materials, cotton garment exports were US$12.62 billion, down 5.5%; chemical fiber garment exports were US$12.32 billion, down 8.6%; silk garment exports were US$210 million, down 17.7%; woolen garment exports were US$420 million, down 8.6%. down 4.8%.
​3. Guangdong and Fujian’s exports resumed growth
In the first quarter, Guangdong ranked first among the top five provinces and cities in apparel exports, with exports of US$7.61 billion, an increase of 1.8%. Zhejiang’s exports were US$5.92 billion, a decrease of 8.4%; Jiangsu’s exports were US$4.57 billion, a decrease of 3.6%; Fujian’s exports were US$3.48 billion, an increase of 5.6%; Shanghai’s exports were US$2.48 billion, a decrease of 10.6%.