China’s Garment Industry Under Pressure as Western Imports Tumble

China’s textile and apparel exports face “significant growth pressure” this year after shrinking 6.8% year-on-year to $67.2 billion in the first quarter, with shipments to major markets including the U.S. and EU tumbling, said an industry group.

Chinese manufacturers exported some $32.1 billion of textiles in the first quarter, a year-on-year slump of 12.1%, whereas apparel exports dipped 1.3% to $35.2 billion, data from the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles (CCCT) show.