Changes in denim sourcing

According to a report by the International Trade Administration’s Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), denim brands and retailers made marked changes in sourcing in the first quarter of 2016. Denim imports from China were 24.6 percent of the total for the period, down from 24.9 percent a year ago. Imports from Mexico fell from 30 percent of total U.S. denim imports in the first quarter of 2015 to 26.7 percent in 2016. Bangladesh and Pakistan each gained 100 basis points of share, to become the third and fourth largest suppliers of denim jeans to the U.S. market. U.S. imports of denim jeans fell by 4.3 percent to $674.6 million in the first quarter. Units declined 3.5 percent to 85 million, resulting in a drop of 0.8 percent in the average cost of a pair of imported jeans. For more, visit otexa.trade.gov.