European Commission : Trade : Textiles and footwear

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Textiles and footwear

Red shoes - Illustration credit: Richard Holden

Textiles and clothing are among the most traded goods in the global economy and the EU dominates high quality markets

Textiles sector

EU textile exports in 2010: €33.8 billion
EU textile imports in 2010: €83.7 billion
EU share of global textile exports in 2010: around 3.6%
Biggest markets for EU textile exports in 2010: Switzerland, Russia, United States, Turkey and Tunisia.

After China, the EU is the world's second largest exporter of textile products with 31% including intra-EU trade. Excluding intra-EU trade, in 2010 the EU exported €33.8billion worth of textiles and clothing products and continues to dominate global markets for up-market and high quality textiles and clothing. Switzerland is our first export market (12.3%), USA has become the second export market of EU textile and clothing (T/C) products with 10.0% of total exports, followed by Russia (9.4%), Turkey (6.8%) and Tunisia (4.9%). In terms of value the EU's main suppliers in 2010 were China (41.8%), followed by Turkey (13.3%), India (7.8%), Bangladesh (7.2%) and Tunisia (3.1%)

The focus of the European Commission's work in the textile and clothing sector is embedded in the framework of the Market Access Strategy relaunched in 2007. The foremost aim is to remove barriers to European textile exports in growing markets abroad, opening opportunities for the European textile and clothing sector to enter public procurement services, ensure a fair and equal treatment with regard to IPR protection and fighting counterfeiting, which is highly damaging for EU textile and clothing producers. In the framework of the Market Access Strategy, early 2009 the Market Access Working Group was created dedicated to market access problems in the textile and clothing field. This working group presents a joint forum for economic operators, Member States and the Commission to work together towards the removal of barriers raised in third countries. Meetings take place since 2009 on a regular basis (approximately 3 times per year). This working group is a forum for all actors involved to discuss and exchange information on concrete market access barriers faced by the T/C sector. Problems relating to the supply of raw materials have arisen lately in T/C sector. The EU addresses these problems in the framework of its Raw Material Initiative. In February 2011, the Commission endorsed a Communication in this respect relating to challenges in commodity markets and raw materials.

Further information on specific barriers facing the European textiles industry can be found in the European Commission's Market Access Database. To find out more about how the EU supports the European textiles industry, see the relevant pages on the website of DG Enterprise and Industry.

Recent trends in the textile and clothing sector: the effects of the economic crisis and developments in import and export trading partners

The textiles and clothing sector was severely affected by the economic crisis of 2008 and 2009. Production as well as consumption levels have experienced a sharp decrease from June 2008 to June 2009. Since July 2009 a slow stabilization of these levels could be observed whereas figures show that a general decrease of -11% of imports took place from 2008 to 2009. These downward trends were also reflected in EU T/C export figures, where exports in T/C products have decreased by -17% with a decline of textile exports by -18% and by -16% of clothing exports. Since January 2010 a recovery was observed - figures 2009 in comparison to 2010.

In parallel to these downward trends between 2008 and 2009, export in textile products has decreased by around 20% whereas trade in clothing products has decreased by 15%. In 2010, export developments were more positive in textile and in clothing products. In both sub-sectors exports increased by 8%.

With the end of the economic crisis, a slight change in import and export partners can be distinguished. The United States, main export market for European T/C products up until 2008 has been replaced by Switzerland in 2009 and in 2010 the United States continues to rank as number two for EU T/C exports.

Imports from China increased by 9% in 2010.

The end of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing in 2005 – liberalization of the textile and clothing sector

For many decades, the textiles and clothing sectors were a notable exception to the progressive liberalization of trade in manufactured goods. Since beginning of 2009 trade in textiles and clothing is fully liberalized and there are no longer any quantitative restrictions in the EU on textile and clothing exports including imports originating in China. As a result of this liberalization, China has become the EU's largest provider of textiles and clothing, and continues to capture market share in Europe, understandably a higher increase can be detected in recently liberalised categories, from other traditional providers in Asia.

Footwear sector

EU footwear exports in 2010: €4.9 billion
EU footwear imports in 2010: €13.5 billion
EU share of global footwear exports in 2010: 0.5%
Biggest markets for EU footwear exports: United States, Russia, Switzerland and Japan

The EU is a major producer and exporter of footwear, especially high quality, high value fashion shoes. In 2010 the EU was the second global exporter of footwear exporting €4.9 billion worth of shoes globally.

As with textiles and clothing, EU footwear exporters continue to face obstacles to exports in many markets, both in the form of high tariffs and non-tariff barriers. The footwear sector also suffers from the impact of counterfeiting and piracy.

On the European market, EU producers face strong competition from low priced imports. Anti-dumping measures put in place since 2006 have been extended in December 2009 in order to counter unfair competition from China and Vietnam. For details see the "Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures list".

An additional challenge for EU footwear producers is ensuring a steady and open supply of raw materials. The leather goods sector is widely affected by export taxes and export restrictions. Because the price of raw materials can be between 30 and 50% of the cost of production in this sector, barriers that raise the costs of raw materials can pose a serious problem. The EU addresses these problems in the framework of its Raw Material Initiative. In February 2011, the Commission endorsed in this respect a Communication relating to challenges in commodity markets and raw materials. Trade wise, we address these problems in our bilateral trade negotiations with raw material-exporting countries and in our Market access partnership.

Further information on specific barriers facing the European footwear industry can be found in the European Commission's Market Access Database. To find out more about how the EU supports the European footwear industry, see the relevant pages on the website of Enterprise and Industry.