Europe is the largest buyer of clothing in the world. Imports were up three per cent in 2018. The United States, the second largest importer of clothing in the world, increased its purchases by one per cent last year. Japan, the third largest, raised its imports of apparel by eight per cent.

Despite the current trade uncertainty, the fashion industry continues a clear globalization course. In 2005, the ten largest importers of clothing represented 90.8 per cent of the total purchases in the sector. Thirteen years later, their share has fallen to 71.3 per cent. Europe’s global share has shrunk from 47.3 per cent in 2005 to 38.4 per cent in 2018.

Beyond major global buyers, South Korea, China and Switzerland have been the countries that have increased their imports the most in 2018, registering double-digit advances. South Korea, which takes the fifth position in this classification, raised its purchases by 16 per cent last year. China, on the other hand, increased its purchases by 14 per cent, similar to Russia and Switzerland, which increased their share by 13 per cent. Also, in textile imports, the ten largest players have been losing prominence, going from generating 62.2 per cent of global purchases in 2005 to 54.6 per cent in 2018.