US textile imports decline, but yarn shipments from India rise 137.7%: OTEXA

Imports of textiles and apparel into the US declined 6.6 per cent month-on-month in November 2024, totaling 9.99 billion sq. mt. equivalents (SME), as per the Department of Commerce’s Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA). While the overall market saw a dip, yarn imports stood out as a critical growth segment.

Yarn imports grew, particularly from India, which recorded a 137.7 per cent year-on-year increase, totalling 1.69 billion SME in November. India’s performance highlights its growing role as a leading yarn supplier. Egypt also saw exceptional growth, with imports rising 589.6 per cent annually to 1.11 billion SME.

For the year to date in November 2024, US textile and apparel imports rose 13.9 per cent year-on-year to 97.5 billion SME, with yarn contributing significantly to this growth. Textile imports, including yarn, surged 16.9 per cent to 73.8 billion SME, reflecting strong demand for raw materials.

China remained the largest supplier overall, though its yarn shipments experienced a monthly dip of 13.3 per cent. Other notable yarn suppliers included Malaysia (+20.1 per cent monthly) and the Czech Republic (+49.4 per cent monthly). The robust performance of yarn imports, particularly from India, underscores its critical role in meeting the demand for high-quality raw materials in the US textile industry.