IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘U.S. Knit Fabric Market. Analysis And Forecast to 2025’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

In 2018, the revenue of the U.S. knit fabric market rose 2.6% and reached $2B, due to accelerated growth of imports. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price).

Over the period under review, knit fabric consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 19% year-to-year. In that year, the knit fabric market reached its peak level of $2.3B. From 2015 to 2018, the growth of the knit fabric market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Knit Fabric Production in the U.S.

U.S. knit fabric production amounted to 144K tonnes in 2018,  -2.4% against the previous year. Overall, knit fabric production continues to indicate an abrupt downturn. Over the period under review, knit fabric production attained its maximum volume at 206K tonnes in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, knit fabric production totaled $1.2B in 2018.

Exports from the U.S.

In 2018, approx. 9.3K tonnes of knit fabrics were exported from the U.S.; declining by -5.9% against the previous year. In general, knit fabric exports continue to indicate a dramatic slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports decreased by -5.9% year-to-year. Over the period under review, knit fabric exports reached their maximum at 42K tonnes in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, knit fabric exports stood at $93M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. In general, knit fabric exports continue to indicate a drastic decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports decreased by -5.6% y-o-y. Exports peaked at $276M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, exports failed to regain their momentum.

Exports by Country

Nicaragua (2K tonnes), Honduras (1.5K tonnes) and Guatemala (1.1K tonnes) were the main destinations of knit fabric exports from the U.S., together accounting for 50% of total exports. Mexico, France, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Australia, Chile and China lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Australia, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Honduras ($18M), Nicaragua ($13M) and Mexico ($8M) were the largest markets for knit fabric exported from the U.S. worldwide, with a combined 43% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Guatemala, El Salvador, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Australia, France, China and Chile, which together accounted for a further 35%.

Among the main countries of destination, Australia experienced the highest growth rate of exports, over the last five-year period, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average knit fabric export price stood at $9,974 per tonne in 2018, remaining constant against the previous year. Over the last five years, it increased at an average annual rate of +8.8%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 22% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the average export prices for knit fabrics reached their peak figure in 2018 and is expected to retain its growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2018, the country with the highest price was China ($16,066 per tonne), while the average price for exports to France ($5,365 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to El Salvador, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports into the U.S.

In 2018, approx. 108K tonnes of knit fabrics were imported into the U.S.; increasing by 9.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, knit fabric imports, however, continue to indicate a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 14% year-to-year. Over the period under review, knit fabric imports attained their peak figure at 130K tonnes in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2018, imports failed to regain their momentum.

In value terms, knit fabric imports totaled $501M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. Overall, knit fabric imports, however, continue to indicate a temperate deduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 11% year-to-year. Imports peaked at $647M in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2018, imports failed to regain their momentum.

Imports by Country

China (46K tonnes), India (25K tonnes) and Israel (14K tonnes) were the main suppliers of knit fabric imports to the U.S., together accounting for 79% of total imports.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by India, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($195M) constituted the largest supplier of knit fabric to the U.S., comprising 39% of total knit fabric imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Israel ($80M), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by India, with a 15% share.

From 2013 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of value from China totaled -6.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Israel (+6.0% per year) and India (+25.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average knit fabric import price stood at $4,631 per tonne in 2018, dropping by -1.9% against the previous year. Overall, the knit fabric import price continues to indicate a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average import price increased by 2.4% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the average import prices for knit fabrics attained their maximum at $5,073 per tonne in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Taiwan, Chinese ($7,981 per tonne), while the price for India ($2,979 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan, Chinese, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Companies Mentioned in the Report

Guilford Mills, Siny Corp., McMurray Fabrics, Ssm Industries, Fisher Textiles, Hornwood, Jif-Pak Manufacturing, Adele Knits, Commonwealth Home Fashion, Fab Industries Corp., Metritek Corporation, The Tenenblatt Corporation, Gehring Tricot Corporation, Rebtex, Westchester Lace & Textiles, Mocaro Industries, Albahealth, McComb Mill Manufacturing Company, Lace Lastics Company, Clover Knits, Mohican Mills, Sas Textiles, Somerset Industries, Charbert, Hampton Industries

Source: IndexBox AI Platform