US textile & apparel exports drop 8.8% in January-May 2026

Shipments to major markets, including Mexico, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Belgium, Guatemala and China, contracted, with declines of up to **.** per cent. Exports to Mexico fell *.** per cent to $*,***.*** million, pointing towards slower manufacturing activity in its export-oriented apparel sector, which relies heavily on US yarns and fabrics. Weakness in Honduras and the Dominican Republic similarly mirrors subdued orders. Among the top ten markets, US exports to China fell **.** per cent. Only United Kingdom recorded mild increase of *.** per cent in the shipment from the US.

During the period, the US shipped textiles worth $*,***.*** million to Canada, $***.*** million to Honduras, $***.*** million to the Netherlands, $***.*** million to China, $***.*** million to Guatemala, and $***.*** million to the Dominican Republic, underscoring North America’s continued dominance as the primary export market. However, the decline in shipments to China highlights ongoing structural shifts, as China increasingly produces upstream textile inputs domestically and prioritises self-sufficiency amid trade and policy considerations.

By product category, apparel exports fell *.** per cent to $*,***.*** million. Fabric exports edged down *.** per cent to $*,***.*** million, while yarn exports dropped a sharper **.** per cent to $*,***.*** million. Made-ups and miscellaneous items slipped **.** per cent to $*,***.*** million.

During ****, the country’s exports had dipped *.** per cent to $**.*** billion. Apparel exports fell *.** per cent to $*,***.*** million, fabric exports were down *.** per cent to $*,***.*** million, while yarn exports dropped *.** per cent to $*,***.*** million and made-ups and miscellaneous items slipped *.** per cent to $*,***.*** million.