Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) trade data reveal imports of non-apparel wool product into the US continued to do well in the first half of 2006.
Wool floorcoverings increased in both volume and value terms year-on-year during the first six months of 2006.
Meanwhile, imports of wool blankets increased very strongly in volume terms, but dropped in value terms due to a surge in imports of cheap product from India.
The growth in non-apparel wool imports is broadly keeping pace with overall retail sales trends in the US. US Census Bureau figures show retail sales at furniture and home furnishing stores were up strongly year-on-year during the first seven months of 2006.
The picture from the various data sources suggests demand for non-apparel wool in the US looks to be on-track to match the high levels seen over the past three years.
However, high petrol prices, higher interest rates and a poor housing market are a concern for consumer spending on furniture and floorcoverings in the second half of the year.
Australian Wool Innovation Limited
marketing@alchempro.com
