Which Country Exports the Most T-Shirts in the World?

IndexBox has just published a new report "World: T-Shirts - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025". Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

Global t-shirt imports stood at 3.4M tonnes in 2016, moving up by 3% against the previous year figure. Overall, t-shirt imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010, when import increased by 7% year-to-year. Global t-shirt import peaked in 2016, and are likely to continue its growth in the near future.

In value terms, t-shirt imports totaled $36B in 2016. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2007 to 2016- the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed over the period under review. Over the period under review, global t-shirt imports attained its maximum level of $38B in 2014- however, from 2015 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

Top T-Shirt Importing Countries in the World

1. USA (6.0 billion USD)

2. Germany (4.0 billion USD)

3. United Kingdom (2.5 billion USD)

4. France (2.2 billion USD)

5. Japan (2.1 billion USD)

6. Spain (1.9 billion USD)

7. China (0.6 billion USD)

8. El Salvador (0.1 billion USD)

9. India (0.1 billion USD)

10. Dominican Republic (0.0 billion USD)

11. Bangladesh (0.0 billion USD)

12. Cambodia (0.0 billion USD)

T-Shirt Imports By Country

The U.S. (513K tonnes), and China (492K tonnes) represented roughly 30% of total imports of t-shirt in 2016. Bangladesh (193K tonnes) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Germany (184K tonnes), and El Salvador (167K tonnes). All these countries together held approx. 16% share of total imports. The following importers - the UK (138K tonnes), Spain (120K tonnes), France (100K tonnes), Japan (96K tonnes), India (95K tonnes), Cambodia (83K tonnes), and the Dominican Republic (77K tonnes) together made up 21% of total imports.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of t-shirt imports, among the main importing countries, was attained by Spain (+10.2% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest t-shirt markets worldwide were the U.S. ($6B), Germany ($4B) and the UK ($2.5B), together accounting for 35% of global imports. These countries were followed by France, Japan, Spain, China, El Salvador, India, the Dominican Republic, Bangladesh and Cambodia, which together accounted for a further 19%.

Cambodia (+56.3% per year) recorded the highest growth rate of t-shirt imports, in terms of the main importing countries, over the last 9 years, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

T-Shirt Import Prices By Country

The average t-shirt import price stood at $11 per kg in 2016, approximately reflecting the previous year level. Over the period from 2007 to 2016 it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%.The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2011, an increase of 14% year-to-year. Global t-shirt import peaked of $12 per kg in 2014- however, from 2015 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst major importing countries. In 2016, the country with the highest import prices was Japan ($22 per kg), while Bangladesh ($21 per tonne) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of t-shirt import prices was attained by Cambodia (+49.8% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Do you want to know more about global t-shirt market? Get the latest trends and insight from our report. It includes a wide range of statistics on

• t-shirt market share
• t-shirt prices
• t-shirt industry
• t-shirt sales
• t-shirt import
• t-shirt export
• t-shirt market forecast
• t-shirt price forecast
• key t-shirt producers

All data provided in this article covers the following product: HS Code 6109 - T-shirts, singlets and other vests- knitted or crocheted.

Source: World: T-Shirts - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025