The imports of textiles and apparel by the United States were worth 96.981 billion dollars during January to November 2013, registering an increase of 3.7 per cent over 93.518 billion dollars imports made during the corresponding period of 2012, says the latest Major Shippers Report, released by the US Department of Commerce.

During the 11-month period, China accounted for 39.85 per cent share of all textiles and garments imported by the US. Vietnam, India and Indonesia recorded 8.31 per cent, 5.97 per cent and 5.07 per cent share respectively in US textile and clothing imports. Bangladesh and Mexico followed closely with 4.88 per cent and 4.42 per cent share, respectively, in all US textile and garment imports during the period under review.

Some other nations whose clothing exports to the US grew in double digits were Haiti, Kenya, Portugal, Morocco, Bahrain and Tanzania. Both in 2011 and 2012, the US textiles and clothing imports crossed the 100 billion dollars-mark and seeing the trend it seems that the country is likely to surpass the 100 billion-mark in 2013 also.

www.commerce.gov