Thailand textile imports drop 7%, fabric share continues to grow

According to sourcing intelligence tool TexPro, Thailand**;s textile imports fell *.* per cent year on year to $***.** million in January-March **** from $***.** million in the corresponding period of ****. Fabric imports accounted for **.** per cent of total textile imports, up from **.** per cent a year earlier and **.** per cent in ****. In contrast, fibre**;s share declined to **.** per cent from **.** per cent in the first quarter of **** and **.** per cent in ****.

The changing composition of imports suggests that Thai manufacturers are increasingly sourcing processed textile inputs rather than raw materials. The trend indicates greater reliance on imported fabrics that can be converted into higher-value textile and apparel products, reflecting the country**;s role as a downstream manufacturing hub within regional supply chains.

On the export side, Thailand**;s textile shipments declined more sharply than imports. Textile exports dropped *.* per cent year on year to $***.** million in the first quarter of **** from $***.** million a year earlier. The steeper decline in exports compared with imports indicates that overseas demand remains weaker than domestic textile consumption and processing activity.

Fabric remained Thailand**;s largest textile export category, contributing **.** per cent of total exports, followed closely by fibre at **.** per cent. Fibre exports totalled $***.** million, nearly matching fabric exports of $***.** million, underscoring Thailand**;s continued strength in upstream textile materials despite subdued global demand, according to TexPro.