Volume rises, value stalls
China exported *.** billion apparel pieces in the first quarter, *.* per cent more than a year earlier, according to China Customs data reported by China Textile Leader. Average export value fell *.* per cent to about $*.** per piece, leaving apparel and accessories exports almost unchanged at $**.** billion.
China therefore shipped roughly *** million additional garments, while the implied average value fell by about $*.** per piece. That does not prove a like-for-like factory price cut; product mix, fibre, weight and destination can all move customs unit values, but it shows how much additional output was required to preserve earnings.
The latest figures soften, but do not reverse, that pattern. China’s apparel exports reached $**.** billion in the first half of ****, down *.* per cent. June recovered to $**.** billion, up *.* per cent year on year and ** per cent from May, as earlier orders were fulfilled and overseas inventories replenished.
