Textiles sector
• EU textile exports in 2009: €30.4billion
• EU textile imports in 2009: €74.9billion
• EU share of global textile exports in 2009: around 3.6%
• Biggest markets for EU textile exports in 2009: Switzerland, Russia, USA, Turkey and Tunisia.
 |
| Textiles and clothing are among the most traded goods in the global economy and the EU dominates high quality markets |
Textiles and clothing are among the most traded goods in the global economy. After China, the EU is the world's second largest exporter of textile products with 31% including intra-EU trade. Excluding intra-EU trade, in 2009 the EU exported €30.4billion worth of textiles and clothing products and continues to dominate global markets for upmarket and high quality textiles and clothing. Switzerland is our first export market (12.7%), Russia has become the second export market of EU textile and clothing (T&C) products with 11.9% of total exports, followed by USA (9.4%), Turkey (6.3%) and Tunisia (5%). In terms of value the EU's main suppliers in 2009 were China (41%), followed by Turkey (13.3%), India (8%), Bangladesh (7.2%) and Tunisia (3.3%)
The focus of the European Commission's work in the textile and clothing sector is embedded in the framework of the renewed Market Access Strategy and aims to remove barriers to European textile exports in growing markets abroad, and fighting counterfeiting, which is highly damaging for EU textile and clothing producers. In the framework of this strategy, in January 2009 a Market Access Working Group was created dedicated to market access problems in the textile and clothing field. This working group presents a joint forum for economic operators, Member States and the Commission to work together towards the removal of barriers raised in third countries. Three meetings took place in 2009 and one so far in 2010. Further meetings are planned for this year.
Further information on specific barriers facing the European textiles industry can be found in the European Commission's Market Access Database. To find out more about how the EU supports the European textiles industry, see the relevant pages on the website of DG Enterprise and Industry.
Recent trends in the textile and clothing sector: the effects of the economic crisis since 2008
The textiles and clothing sector was severely affected by the economic crisis. Production as well as consumption levels have experienced a sharp decrease from June 2008 to June 2009. Since July 2009 a slow stabilization of these levels can be observed. For the entire year 2009 a general decrease of -11% of imports took place in comparison to the previous year. These downward trends are also reflected in EU T/C export figures, where exports in T/C products have decreased by -17% with a decline of textile exports by -18% and by -16% of clothing exports. Since January 2010 a recovery is observed.
In parallel to these downward trends, export in textile products has decreased by around 20% whereas trade in clothing products has decreased by 15% in comparison to 2008 figures.
The end of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing in 2005 – liberalization of the textile and clothing sector
For many decades, the textiles and clothing sectors were a notable exception to the progressive liberalization of trade in manufactured goods. Since beginning of 2009 trade in textiles and clothing is fully liberalized and there are no longer any quantitative restrictions in the EU on textile and clothing exports including imports originating in China. As a result of this liberalization, China has become the EU's largest provider of textiles and clothing, and continues to capture market share in Europe, understandably a higher increase can be detected in recently liberalised categories, from other traditional providers in Asia.
Footwear sector
• EU footwear exports in 2009: €4.7 billion
• EU footwear imports in 2009: €12.4 billion
• EU share of global footwear exports in 2009: 0.5%
• Biggest markets for EU footwear exports: USA, Russia, Switzerland and Japan
The EU is a major producer and exporter of footwear, especially high quality, high value fashion shoes. In 2009 the EU was the second global exporter of footwear exporting €4.7 billion worth of shoes globally.
As with textiles and clothing, EU footwear exporters continue to face obstacles to exports in many markets, both in the form of high tariffs and non-tariff barriers. The footwear sector also suffers from the impact of counterfeiting and piracy.
On the European market, EU producers face strong competition from low priced imports. Anti-dumping measures put in place since 2006 have been extended in December 2009 in order to counter unfair competition from China and Vietnam. For details see the "Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures list".
An additional challenge for EU footwear producers is ensuring a steady and open supply of raw materials. The leather goods sector is widely affected by export taxes and export restrictions. Because the price of raw materials can be between 30 and 50% of the cost of production in this sector, barriers that raise the costs of raw materials can pose a serious problem. The EU addresses these problems through both its bilateral trade negotiations with raw material-exporting countries and its Market access partnership.
Further information on specific barriers facing the European footwear industry can be found in the European Commission's Market Access Database. To find out more about how the EU supports the European footwear industry, see the relevant pages on the website of Enterprise and Industry. |
European Union