US’ jeans imports grew 5.82 per cent in the first quarter of the year. However, China’s denim apparel shipments to the US declined 2.2 per cent. China’s recent downward pattern as a dominant apparel supplier to the US, accelerated by the tariff-based trade dispute with the US and higher costs of production in the country, has left room for several countries and regions to boost their market share. Sample this, PVH sources less than 20 per cent of its denim requirements from China. Three years ago, it was more than 40 per cent. G-III Apparel sources roughly 61.5 per cent of its purchases from China. That number is down from 65.1 per cent in fiscal 2018 and 72 per cent in fiscal 2017.

Mexico’s denim shipments to the US jumped 15.09 per cent in the quarter, while shipments from Nicaragua grew 21.54 per cent. Shipments from Vietnam jumped 30.24 per cent and Indonesia’s shipments increased 14.89 per cent. Shipments from Bangladesh fell 1.24 per cent. Pakistan’s shipments were down 0.85 per cent and Cambodia’s dropped 11.71 per cent. Shipments of denim apparel from Egypt rose 4.23 per cent in the quarter while Lesotho’s shipments fell 24.78 per cent. Overall, jean shipments from sub-Saharan countries were up nine per cent.