Africa is gradually increasing its share in US apparel imports, inching close to 4 per cent between January and April 2023. During this period, the US imported $1.043 billion worth of apparel from Africa, out of its total imports of $26.24 billion. While the African share is still small in comparison to total US apparel imports, the trend of continued growth stands in stark contrast to the general downward trend in global garment trade.

Africa’s share was 3.98 per cent in the period under review compared to the Asia-Pacific region's 70.20 per cent, Central-South America's 13.05 per cent, and Europe's 4.69 per cent shares in US total apparel imports, but it is significant given the steady rise in Africa's share since 2019.

The US imported apparel worth $87.308 billion from all over the world in 2019, with imports from Africa valued at $2.722 billion, or 3.12 per cent of the total. Africa's share marginally increased to 3.14 per cent in 2020, when imports from the continent amounted to $2.229 billion out of a total of $71.039 billion, according to

In 2021, the US' total apparel imports were valued at $87.229 billion, of which $2.96 billion or 3.40 per cent came from Africa. The following year, US imports from Africa rose to $3.700 billion, out of a total of $105.286 billion, raising Africa's share to 3.51 per cent. This share further increased to 3.98 per cent in the first four months of this year, as per TexPro.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)

More Apparel/Garments News - Global...

Africa's share in US' apparel imports nears 4% amid global downturn

Insights