Vietnam gained .8 percentage points of total US apparel import share in the first eight months of 2012, eight times that of China, which has gained a mere .1 percentage point. Vietnam’s share increased to 9.3% of total year-to-date apparel imports, making it the second largest trading partner in the category.
China’s year-to-date share grew to over 36%, driven by significant year-to-date increases in the amount of women’s man-made fiber dresses, blouses and tops. These were offset by sizable drops in women’s cotton apparel.
Shipments increased from Vietnam of women’s man-made fiber dresses and tops. There have been steep drops in imports of cotton apparel from Vietnam as well. India and Pakistan have suffered the biggest share losses so far this year.
