The Philippines earned $2billion through exports of yarn, fabric and apparel in 2014. Of this, yarn and fabric exports shot up by 35 per cent year-on-year while clothing exports increased at 17 per cent. The majority of the country’s textile and apparel exports go to the US. The local textile industry boasts fiber production and the manufacturing of yarn, fabric and textile end products. It consists of two sectors: the primary processing sector, comprising spinning, twisting, weaving, knitting, dyeing and finishing. Secondary processing, which include apparel making and textile end products.

The Philippines is home to abundance of native natural fibers, including abaca, piña and silk. It is the largest producer of abaca and it exports both abaca pulp and fiber, which comes from banana plants. Making textiles from pineapple leaves is an expertise of the Philippines. The fiber rivals silk for its touch and luster.

However, Filipino fabric exports to the US are expected to drop following a US government decision to omit textiles, garments and apparels from its zero tariff privilege under the newly extended Generalized System of Preference. The program leaves out textiles, fashion and footwear, which are the Philippines’ second largest group of exports to the US.