In 2014, the European Union's apparel and textile imports saw an increase of nine per cent and eight per cent respectively. Exports increased by five per cent for apparel and two per cent for textiles.

Last year, apparel imports accounted for €73.06 billion worth of goods, including €54.9 billion from Asia (10 per cent) and €14.02 billion from Mediterranean countries (five per cent). Textile imports totaled €26.4 billion euros, including €16.8 billion from Asia and €5.6 billion from the Mediterranean countries.

Apparel exports, on the other hand, accounted for €21.9 billion euros, including €5.2 billion for Asia and €1.9 billion for the Mediterranean countries. In terms of textiles, Europe reached €21.2 billion in exported goods, including €4.8 billion to Asia and €4.8 billion to the Mediterranean.

EU textile and clothing imports rose in value in 2013 following a decline in the previous year and, as a result, imports remained short of the peak reached in 2011. In volume terms, imports rose faster but remained below the levels reached during 2007-08 and 2010-11. More than 70 per cent of EU imports of textiles and clothing come from Asia. The United States is the world’s biggest textile and apparel market.