As per the data released recently by the International Trade Administration’s Office of Textiles and Apparel, or OTEXA, denim brands and retailers implemented a big shift in sourcing strategy in the first quarter of 2016. A denim import from China was 24.6 per cent of the total, down from 24.9 per cent a year ago, in the first three months of 2016. Imports from Mexico suffered an even bigger fall, dropping from 30 per cent of total US denim imports in the first quarter of 2015 to 26.7 per cent in 2016.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Pakistan gained 100 basis points of share, to become the number 3 and 4 suppliers of denim jeans to the US market. This is consistent with industry trends showing a shift in denim market share toward the fast fashion retailers that are a favorite of younger consumers. Total US import of denim jeans fell by 4.3 per cent to $674.6 million in the first quarter. Units declined 3.5 per cent to 85 million, resulting in a drop of 0.8 per cent in the average cost of a pair of imported jeans.

Incidentally, men’s and boy’s jeans suffered the biggest drop, with the dollar value of imports down 7. 8 per cent to $351.6 million. Women’s and girls’ jeans imports were virtually flat at $323 million in the quarter.