UK imports apparel worth $775 mn from Middle East, cotton apparel lead

Cotton apparel imports from the Middle East were valued at $404.144 million, accounting for 52.12 per cent of the UK's total apparel imports of $775.478 million. Inbound shipments of man-made apparel amounted to $248.253 million, constituting 32.01 per cent of the total. The UK also imported garments made of wool-animal hair ($14.274 million or 1.84 per cent), silk ($0.134 million or 0.02 per cent), and other materials ($108.672 million or 14.01 per cent), according to data from Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro.

A gender-wise analysis of the trade shows that unisex garments dominated with a 43.64 per cent share, amounting to $338.393 million in total imports. Women's garments followed, with imports valued at $285.736 million or 36.85 per cent of the total. Men's garments accounted for $138.027 million, or 17.80 per cent. Baby garments made up the smallest portion, with imports valued at $13.320 million, which is 1.72 per cent of the total. 

During the period from January to May 2023, the UK imported trousers and shorts valued at $164.996 million, making them the largest product by value in the trade. These items accounted for 21.28 per cent of total apparel imports. Inbound shipments of other products included T-shirts ($138.930 million or 17.92 per cent), jerseys ($101.649 million or 13.11 per cent), dresses ($88.823 million or 11.45 per cent), shirts ($72.026 million or 9.29 per cent), socks ($68.351 million or 8.81 per cent), jackets and blazers ($24.803 million or 3.20 per cent), skirts ($15.639 million or 2.02 per cent), baby wear ($13.320 million or 1.72 per cent), and sportswear ($12.002 million or 1.55 per cent) , according to data from TexPro. 

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)