It is noteworthy that the Netherlands once had a flourishing textile industry, which has since dwindled due to economic reasons. However, Dutch textile companies maintain a strong production base in other countries and import apparel and other textile products to supply mainly to European Union nations.
The Netherlands' apparel exports fell by 13.6 per cent to $5.569 billion during the first five months of 2024, down from $6.446 billion in the same period the previous year. Imports also decreased by 5.72 per cent, from $7.517 billion. Germany was the leading destination for Dutch apparel exports during this period, accounting for 29.91 per cent ($1.666 billion). Other major export markets included France (13.03 per cent, $725.629 million), Italy (9.37 per cent, $522.027 million), Spain (7.25 per cent, $403.536 million), and Poland (7.20 per cent, $400.785 million), according to Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro.
In 2023, the Netherlands exported apparel worth $16.071 billion, with Germany being the top destination at $4.869 billion (30.30 per cent). Exports to other countries included France ($2.160 billion, 13.44 per cent), Italy ($1.544 billion, 9.61 per cent), Poland ($1.082 billion, 6.73 per cent), and Belgium ($1.067 billion, 6.64 per cent).
China was the top supplier of apparel imports to the Netherlands in the first five months of 2024, with a share of 17.98 per cent, valued at $1.274 billion out of total apparel imports of $7.087 billion. Other major suppliers were Germany ($1.043 billion, 14.72 per cent), Bangladesh ($945.476 million, 13.34 per cent), Turkiye ($677.325 million, 9.56 per cent), and Vietnam ($374.239 million, 5.28 per cent), as per TexPro.
In 2023, total apparel imports amounted to $18.703 billion. Of this, imports from China were $3.746 billion (20.03 per cent), Germany $3.138 billion (16.78 per cent), Bangladesh $2.025 billion (10.83 per cent), Turkiye $1.563 billion (8.35 per cent), and Vietnam $795.633 million (4.25 per cent).
ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)
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