During the past year, Kenya's textile exports to the US dropped drastically and as a result there was large trade imbalance noticed between the two countries.
According to statistics by the US Commerce Department, Kenya's trade in the US textile market has been shrinking with the entry of the Asian countries there.
Kenya's textile and apparel export to the US dropped from Sh 19.5 million in 2004 to Sh19.2 million in 2005.
After Agoa's implementation in 2001, country's clothing exports to the US were booming but at present, it is a complete turnaround.
Drop in Kenya's textile export to the US is mainly due to end of global quota regime; now it has to face direct competition from the countries like China and India.
This downward trend continued during Jan-Feb this year, as Kenya's textile and apparel exports to the US reported Sh3.6 billion compared to Sh4.3 billion in the same period last year.
US import from Kenya amounted Sh25.1 billion during last year, while US exports gained Sh45.5 billion for the period in consideration.
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