Taiwan Textile Federation, Taiwan’s textiles and apparel exports declined 9.0 per cent in 2019 compared to the previous year to reach $9.1 billion. It was the first decrease in exports in three years since 2016.

As a result of US-China trade friction and political turmoil in Hong Kong, exports sharply decreased to Mainland China and Hong Kong. The fact that Taiwanese companies in the upstream and middle-stream sectors have relocated their production to Vietnam and Indonesia is also a factor for the decrease.

Exports of fabrics decreased 6.0 per cent to $6.2 billion, while those of spun yarns decreased by 14.0 per cent to $1.4 billion. Textile fibers exports declined 25.0 per cent to $640 million.

In regard to the top five destinations, exports to Vietnam decreased by 2.0 per cent to $2.2 billion. Fabrics exports to the country decreased 1.0 per cent to $1.7 billion, while spun yarns grew 2.0 per cent to $241.0 million.