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Mexico's recent policy shifts in the apparel industry are creating a complex interplay between fostering domestic production, reducing reliance on China, and acknowledging the continued importance of Chinese imports for sustaining its own exports. While incentives for nearshoring aim to attract manufacturers and boost local sourcing, rising tariffs on textiles and finished apparel products raise questions about Mexico's long-term strategy and its relationship with China in this sector.
Growing focus on ‘Made in Mexico’
President Claudia Sheinbaum's ‘Plan Mexico’ with a focus on nearshoring and tax benefits for local and foreign companies, signals a clear intention to strengthen Mexico's domestic apparel industry. The government's push to increase Mexican-made components in various sectors further underscores this commitment. "What isn't made here can be made here," says Francisco Cervantes, President of Mexico's business coordinating council CCE, highlighting the potential for domestic production.
However, the increased tariffs on textile and apparel imports, reaching up to 35 per cent for finished goods, complicate this narrative. While aimed at protecting Mexico's domestic industry, these tariffs also impact the flow of raw materials and intermediate goods from China, which remain crucial for many Mexican manufacturers. "No one knows what to do," Ryan Martin, President of distribution and fulfillment at ITS Logistics, told FreightWaves. "Everyone is exploring options right now." This situation creates a complex landscape for the apparel industry.
Of course, nearshoring has its own incentives. Tax benefits and government support for local manufacturing could attract investment and create new jobs in Mexico's apparel sector. And by shifting production closer home, North American companies can reduce supply chain vulnerabilities and potentially shorten lead times. Also, Mexico's commitment to the USMCA trade agreement provides a framework for increased regional collaboration and potentially mitigates some of the tariff impacts.
New tariff’s impact
However, the new tariffs increase the cost of importing textiles and finished apparel into Mexico, impacting both Mexican and American businesses. The tariffs directly affect the viability of using Mexico as a conduit for importing goods from China under the Section 321 provision. And companies relying on existing supply chains through Mexico may need to re-evaluate their sourcing and fulfillment strategies.
Table: US apparel imports from Mexico, China
|
Year |
US apparel imports from Mexico ($ bn) |
US apparel imports from China ($ bn) |
|
2022 |
15.4 |
29.8 |
|
2023 |
16.2 |
27.5 |
|
2024 (estimated) |
17.1 |
25.1 |
(Source: US Census Bureau, data adjusted for estimated 2024 figures)
The table clearly demonstrate the substantial role both Mexico and China play in the US apparel market. The new tariffs and nearshoring incentives could significantly alter this dynamic in the coming years.
Mexico's China perspective
Despite the nearshoring drive and tariff increases, Mexico cannot entirely disregard its reliance on China for textile inputs. China remains a significant supplier of fibers, yarns, and fabrics, essential for Mexico's apparel exports.
Table: Mexico’s textile imports from China
|
Year |
Mexico's textile imports from China ($ bn) |
Breakdown |
|
2022 |
4.8 |
Fibers: 1.2, Yarns: 1.8, Fabrics: 1.8 |
|
2023 |
5.1 |
Fibers: 1.3, Yarns: 1.9, Fabrics: 1.9 |
|
2024 (estimated) |
5.3 |
Fibers: 1.4, Yarns: 2.0, Fabrics: 1.9 |
(Source: UN Comtrade Database, data adjusted for estimated 2024 figures)
Chinese textiles often offer a significant cost advantage, making them attractive to Mexican manufacturers seeking to maintain price competitiveness in the global market. Moreover, China provides a wide range of specialized fibers, yarns, and fabrics that may not be readily available or cost-effective to produce domestically in Mexico. And many Mexican manufacturers have established long-standing supply chain relationships with Chinese suppliers, making a sudden shift impractical.
Mexico now faces a delicate balancing act. It seeks to boost domestic production and reduce reliance on China, while acknowledging the continued importance of Chinese imports for its own export competitiveness. This necessitates a nuanced approach. To begin with Mexico may need to strategically source certain textile inputs from China while simultaneously investing in domestic production capacity for other materials. Meanwhile, encouraging joint ventures and technology transfer from China could help Mexico develop its own capabilities in producing specialized textiles. The government may need to consider targeted tariff adjustments or exemptions for specific textile inputs crucial for Mexico's export-oriented industries.
Mexico's push for nearshoring and its increased tariffs on textiles create a dynamic and evolving situation for the apparel industry. While opportunities exist for companies willing to adapt and invest in local production, challenges remain in navigating the changing cost landscape and supply chain complexities. The long-term impact on the North American apparel market will depend on how effectively businesses and governments can leverage these changes to foster sustainable growth and regional collaboration.
The global resale apparel market is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.4 per cent from 2025-28, as per a GlobalData report. In 2025, the market is anticipated to increase by an additional 13.3 per cent.
The global resale apparel market grew by 17.6 per cent to $204.7 in 2024 while the global traditional clothes market expanded by 0.1 per cent. According to Alice Price, Apparel Analyst at GlobalData, consumers are turning to resale fashion due to it being reasonably priced in the face of economic uncertainty, especially in North America and Europe.
This growth in the resale apparel market is also being driven by rising eco-consciousness and increased awareness about the disastrous effects of fashion waste accumulation. Additionally, ongoing investments from online platforms like Vinted, Depop, and eBay are helping to improve and expand their offerings.
Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa regions are projected to dominate growth in the global resale apparel market with CAGRs of 14.1 per cent and 11.6 per cent, respectively. Luxury apparel resale also continues to thrive in these areas with the rise in demand for designer items.
The global fashion resale market is likely to be dominated by footwear with a 13.8 per cent CAGR on account of rising e demand for rare and collectible trainers. However, by 2028, the share of the clothing resale market will shrink to 76.9 per cent, despite maintaining the highest share and growing at the slowest rate at 11 per cent.
India’s textile and apparel exports witnessed strong growth in December 2024, with textile exports rising by 12.76 per cent and apparel exports increasing by 12.89 per cent compared to the previous year, according to the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI).
For the full year (Jan-Dec 2024), textile exports grew by 6 per cent, while apparel exports saw an 8.4 per cent rise over 2023. Overall, textile and apparel (T&A) exports increased by 7 per cent, reflecting a positive trajectory.
CITI Chairman Rakesh Mehra attributed the sector’s resilience to timely government policies and leadership under Textile Minister Giriraj Singh. “The industry remains optimistic about sustained growth despite global uncertainties,” he stated.
The rise highlights India’s strengthening position in the global textile market, backed by strategic interventions and policy support. The industry looks forward to maintaining this momentum in 2025.
A leading Indian textile manufacturer, Aanaya Fabrics is venturing into the glass fiber fabric market to produce high-performance, durable, and lightweight materials for the automotive and technology sectors. This move positions the company as a key player in the technical textiles field, reinforcing their reputation for innovation.
Founded in 2020, Aanaya Fabrics has consistently adapted to the evolving global textile market. This latest expansion demonstrates their commitment to excellence and innovation.
Aanaya Fabrics has also partnered with numerous Nifty 50 companies, creating premium textile-based gifts for their annual corporate gifting programs. Leveraging their expertise in high-quality fabrics and customization, Aanaya Fabrics delivers bespoke textile solutions aligned with each corporation's branding and vision.
Aanaya Fabrics' partners have participated in incubation programs at the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA), focusing on cutting-edge textile development and technical textile research. This involvement allows the company to anticipate market trends, explore sustainable materials, and improve fabric performance to meet changing industry needs.
Further, to address the need for scalable textile production, Aanaya Fabrics has begun producing greige fabric from scratch for bulk orders over 30,000 meters. This expansion ensures smooth production, improved quality control, and efficient fulfillment of large orders, solidifying their position as a reliable textile partner.
Concerns about the environmental impact and sustainability of the fashion industry have been growing over the year. However, one positive fallout of these concerns is, the growing shift towards recycled polyester (rPET). Polyester, a staple in textiles, has historically relied on virgin fossil-based resources, contributing significantly to carbon emissions and environmental degradation. Recycled polyester offers a viable solution by utilizing post-consumer plastic waste, such as PET bottles, to create fibers for clothing, thereby reducing the reliance on non-renewable resources and mitigating waste.
The 2025 Recycled Polyester Challenge
Launched in 2021 by Textile Exchange in collaboration with the UNFCCC’s Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, the 2025 Recycled Polyester Challenge has given a boost to the industry's commitment to sustainability. The initiative calls on companies to pledge to source 45 to 100 percent of their polyester from recycled sources by 2025. By transitioning away from virgin polyester, the challenge aims to curb greenhouse gas emissions, decrease water usage, and promote a circular economy within the fashion industry.
Progress and achievements
As of 2024, 121 brands and suppliers have signed up for the challenge, showcasing an unprecedented level of commitment to rPET adoption. Notably, 57 per cent of the signatories have pledged to transition entirely to recycled polyester by 2025. Furthermore, almost 28 per cent of participating brands and suppliers reached their recycled polyester targets ahead of schedule in 2023, demonstrating the feasibility and scalability of this transition.
However, despite this progress, challenges persist. Scaling up rPET production to meet growing demand is a significant hurdle. The industry must also invest in advanced recycling technologies, such as chemical recycling, to ensure that recycled fibers maintain high quality and durability over multiple lifecycles. Moreover, fostering robust supply chain collaborations and enhancing transparency in sourcing and tracing recycled polyester remain critical. Consumer education is another pivotal aspect. While brands are shifting towards sustainability, it is equally important to inform and persuade consumers about the benefits of recycled polyester, encouraging them to make conscious purchasing decisions.
Global rPET production and India’s position
The global production of recycled polyester is rising steadily, driven by increasing environmental awareness and industry-wide initiatives. Leading countries in rPET production include China, India, the US, and nations within the European Union. According to Statista (2023), the global production shares are as follows.
Table: Global rPET production
|
Country |
Share of global production |
|
China |
35% |
|
India |
15% |
|
USA |
10% |
|
EU |
25% |
|
Others |
15% |
(Source: Statista, 2023)
China leads in rPET production, contributing 35 per cent of the global output, followed by India at 15 per cent. India’s significant contribution stems from its well-established textile industry, government initiatives promoting sustainability, and the availability of recycled PET bottles. Indian manufacturers are increasingly adopting recycled polyester, positioning the country as a key player in the global sustainability movement.
Market trends and projections
The current market share of recycled polyester in the apparel industry is estimated at 18 per cent, an increase from 14 per cent in 2019. Experts project this share will reach 30 per cent by 2025, reflecting a positive trend. However, this projection still falls short of the 45 per cent target set by the 2025 Recycled Polyester Challenge. Bridging this gap will require accelerated investments in recycling infrastructure, innovation in recycling technologies, and intensified efforts to build consumer awareness about sustainable fashion.
The transition to recycled polyester is a pivotal step toward creating a sustainable and environmentally responsible textile industry. While challenges such as scaling production, maintaining fiber quality, and fostering supply chain transparency remain, the industry’s growing momentum is encouraging. The active involvement of stakeholders—from brands to consumers—will be instrumental in achieving the ambitious goals of the 2025 Recycled Polyester Challenge.
Strategies for advancement
Investment in technology: Scaling up chemical recycling and other advanced technologies to enhance the quality and longevity of rPET fibers.
Policy support: Governments can play a crucial role by incentivizing recycled polyester production and creating favorable regulatory frameworks.
Consumer education: Informing consumers about the environmental benefits of recycled polyester and encouraging sustainable purchasing habits.
Global collaboration: Building partnerships across borders to create robust supply chains and share best practices for recycling and sustainability.
The rise of recycled polyester marks a sustainable shift in the textile industry, addressing pressing environmental concerns while fostering innovation and economic growth. As brands, suppliers, and consumers unite in their commitment to sustainability, the vision of a circular economy becomes increasingly attainable. Continued collaboration, innovation, and education will be key to ensuring that recycled materials are not just an alternative but the norm in the fashion industry’s future.
Wazir Advisors global apparel trade & retail update report for January 2025 indicates varying levels of growth across different regions and a mix of positive and concerning macroeconomic signals. Recent data shows resilience in some areas, vulnerability in others, and a general sense of uncertainty that requires careful analysis.
Key highlights
• Import trends: November 2024 saw continued growth in apparel imports for the US and EU, stable imports for the UK, and a decline in Japan. The import figures reveal a tale of two continents. The US, led by seemingly robust consumer spending, saw a significant 15 per cent year-on-year jump in apparel imports; US apparel imports reached $6 billion in Novembert. This suggests a continued appetite for fashion and clothing despite persistent inflationary pressures. EU apparel imports totaled $7.3 billion. While experiencing more moderate growth of 3 per cent, EU still demonstrated a positive trend, indicating a healthy, albeit less exuberant, market. However, the picture is less rosy elsewhere. At $1.7 billion, the UK's flat import figures suggest a plateauing of demand, potentially reflecting consumer caution amidst economic uncertainties. Japan's 5 per cent decline in imports at $1.8 billion is a more worrying sign, hinting at weakening consumer confidence and a potential shift in spending priorities.
• Export performance: For the full year 2024, China's apparel exports saw marginal growth it reached $153.3 billion, while at $38.6 billion Bangladesh experienced a 7 per cent YoY decline. India registered positive growth in exports. Looking at the full year 2024 export data provides further insights into the dynamics at play. China, the traditional powerhouse of apparel manufacturing, managed only a marginal 1 per cent increase. This lackluster growth underscores the challenges facing the Chinese apparel sector, including rising labor costs, increasing competition from other manufacturing hubs, and evolving global supply chain dynamics. Bangladesh, a key player in the RMG industry, suffered a 7 per cent decline in exports. This drop is a concern, potentially reflecting a combination of factors such as rising production costs within Bangladesh, fluctuating global demand, and increased competition from countries like Vietnam and India. In contrast, India's 9 per cent export growth highlights the country's rising prominence in the global apparel market. This positive trend suggests that India is successfully capturing market share through competitive pricing, improving infrastructure, and a focus on sustainable and ethical manufacturing practices.
• Retail sales: The retail landscape mirrors the mixed signals observed in trade data. In the US, both December and full-year sales figures for apparel stores registered positive growth, indicating continued consumer willingness to spend on clothing. The strong performance of the home furnishings sector further suggests that consumers are investing in their homes and lifestyles. However, the UK's retail sector presents a more subdued picture. Flat sales in December and a slight decline for the year point to a cautious consumer, potentially impacted by cost-of-living pressures and Brexit-related uncertainties.
• Macroeconomic indicators: Perhaps the most crucial element of the current landscape lies in the macroeconomic indicators, particularly in the US. The December data reveals a concerning combination of rising inflation and falling consumer confidence. While the retail sector has shown resilience thus far, these negative indicators cannot be ignored. Persistent inflation erodes purchasing power, while declining consumer confidence suggests growing anxieties about the economic future. If these trends continue, they could significantly impact consumer spending and dampen demand for apparel, even in previously robust markets like the US.
Outlook
The global apparel market is complex at the moment. While the US and EU continue to show growth in imports, Japan's decline and the UK's flat performance suggest varying levels of consumer demand. Export performance also varies significantly, with India showing strong growth while Bangladesh faces challenges. The US retail sector's positive performance contrasts with the slight decline in the UK. The rising inflation and declining consumer confidence in the US warrant close monitoring, as they could influence future consumer spending and impact the apparel market.
An association covering the PET lifecycle from manufacturing to conversion into packaging, Petcore Europe says, post-consumer garments need to be designed with recyclability in mind as they represent almost 85 per cent of the textile waste in EU.
The association has published a position paper on the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) which came into force in July 2024. It emphasizes on the need to improve collection efforts, establish mandatory EU-wide harmonized sorting guidelines, implement pre-processing infrastructure to convert collected textile waste to consistent usable feedstock both, mechanical recycling and depolymerisation processes.
These critical measures are vital for securing the viability of recycling facilities, ensuring the industry can achieve the ambitious targets set by the ESPR Ecodesign framework, says Petcore.
The economic and social impact of textile recycling is undeniable. It helps the industry generate employment, support local industries and, ultimately, become economically self-sustaining, the organization argues
Noting the need for extended producer responsibility schemes, Petcore says, these schemes would help make waste prevention, reuse and recycling targets accountable. They need to provide financial support for the collection, sorting, preparation for recycling, and recycling, it adds.
The association advocates a mandatory minimum of 20 per cent recycled content in garments, specifically post-consumer recycled polyester, by 2030. It also supports an initiative for digital product passports for polyester textiles that provide meaningful information on a product’s environmental footprint, composition, repairability, and recyclability.
Additionally, producer responsibility for garment take-back schemes and ensuring proper traceability for upcycling needs to be made mandatory, the association emphasizes. The position paper also calls for a reduction on textile exports to the Global South.
Polyester industrial yarn imports are likely to witness a slight decline in 2025 compared to 2024, as per US customs data. This anticipated decline would primarily result due to increased domestic production of high-modulus low-shrinkage (HMLS) industrial yarns. Conversely, with overseas inflation easing and demand rising, industrial yarn exports are projected to grow, though the year-over-year growth rate may be lower due to the high export volume in 2024.
In 2024, polyester industrial yarn imports rose by 5.9 per cent Y-o-Y to 21,300 tons, while exports increased by 7.6 per cent Y-o-Y to 559,600 tons. Both imports and exports experienced positive growth.
Vietnam remained the top supplier of polyester industrial yarn to the US in 2024, accounting for over 60 per cent of imports each month, with shares exceeding 90 per cent in February, September, and November. Total imports from Vietnam reached 17,000 tons, a 4.9 per cent increase (800 tons) from 2023, with Vietnam's overall share around 80 per cent, slightly down 1 percentage point from 2023.
Regarding exports, all months in 2024, except March, showed positive year-over-year growth, contributing to overall export growth. November saw the lowest export volume (41,500 tons), while January recorded the highest (51,900 tons).
The significant export volume increase in 2024 was partly due to the EU's anti-dumping duties implemented in May 2023. These duties led to lower export volumes from May to December 2023. As the impact of the duties lessened, export volumes rebounded in 2024, with exports to EU countries increasing by 11.2 per cent Y-o-Y. Additionally, rebounding overseas demand and active export market expansion by domestic companies led to a 6.7 per cent Y-o-Y increase in exports to non-EU countries.
The top ten export destinations remained largely consistent with 2023, with minor shifts in rankings and shares. These ten countries accounted for approximately 61 per cent of total exports in both 2023 and 2024. The United States remained the largest export market, with its share increasing from 10 per cent in 2023 to 11 per cent in 2024. South Korea maintained its share around 10 per cent, while Turkey's share decreased by 1 percentage point to 7 per cent. Vietnam and Belgium saw improved rankings, while Russia, Canada, and Germany experienced declines. Brazil and India held steady.
Downstream demand for industrial yarn is primarily concentrated in the automotive, infrastructure, and transportation sectors, with strong demand from developed countries in Europe and America, as well as significant demand from developing countries.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2025-26 on February 1, with expectations running high, especially in the textile and MSME sectors. Reports suggest potential income tax relief for individuals earning up to Rs15 lakh, a move that could benefit the middle class.
Rajeev Gupta, CEO of RSWM Limited, outlined key demands from the textile industry to enhance cost competitiveness and viability. He stressed the need to liberalize raw material imports, citing that Indian firms pay higher prices due to quality control orders (QCOs) on man-made fibres (MMF) and yarn. Reducing customs duties on MMF fibres and essential chemicals would ensure a more competitive market.
Gupta also highlighted concerns about the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which currently applies only to synthetic fibres. Extending PLI across the entire textile industry would drive investments. He urged the reinstatement of the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) to support machinery upgrades.
Further, he recommended replacing the MSP-based cotton procurement system with a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) model, improving farmers’ liquidity. A Cotton Price Stabilisation Fund and extended credit limits for cotton procurement would help mitigate price volatility.
Lastly, Gupta called for deferring Section 43B(h) of the IT Act, which taxes companies on unpaid MSME invoices after 45 days. He argued that textile production cycles exceed this timeframe, disrupting industry operations. A phased rollout of this rule, he suggested, would allow better adaptation.
H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB posted solid financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024, marking growth in key metrics despite macroeconomic challenges.
For the fourth quarter (September 1–November 30, 2024), the group's net sales reached SEK 62,193 million, slightly down from SEK 62,650 million in the same period last year. However, in local currencies, net sales grew by 3 per cent. Gross profit rose to SEK 33,942 million, resulting in a gross margin of 54.6 per cent, up from 53.7 per cent in Q4 2023. The operating profit increased to SEK 4,624 million, corresponding to an operating margin of 7.4 per cent. This growth was driven by strong online sales, successful women’s fashion collections, and effective cost control. The result after tax nearly doubled, amounting to SEK 3,081 million (SEK 1.92 per share) compared to SEK 1,569 million (SEK 0.97 per share) in Q4 2023.
For the full year (December 1, 2023–November 30, 2024), net sales totaled SEK 234,478 million, slightly down from SEK 236,035 million in 2023. However, local currency sales grew by 1 per cent. Gross profit increased by 4 per cent, reaching SEK 125,299 million, and the operating profit grew by 19 per cent to SEK 17,306 million, with an operating margin of 7.4 per cent. Earnings per share rose 34 per cent to SEK 7.21. Cash flow from operating activities increased by 26 per cent, reaching SEK 36,745 million, despite a decline in cash and cash equivalents to SEK 35,756 million.
The group also highlighted its progress in sustainability, with a 23 per cent reduction in scope 3 emissions compared to 2019 levels. Looking ahead, H&M plans to invest SEK 11–12 billion in CapEx for 2025, focusing on store optimization and supply chain improvements. The company will also open its first store in Brazil by late 2025.
CEO Daniel Erver expressed confidence in the company's direction, emphasizing continued focus on core business growth, customer experience, and sustainability efforts. Despite economic uncertainty, H&M remains well-positioned for future growth with its diversified supply chain and ongoing digital and product innovation.
