Between 2000 and 2005 the average price of textile imports fell by 21% while the price of clothing imports declined by 24%. In 2005, however, the price falls moderated to only 1.2% in textiles and a mere 0.1% in clothing.

Trends in EU15 imports and import prices of 12 major product categories: cotton yarn; fabrics woven from synthetic staple fibres; fabrics woven from synthetic filament yarn; T-shirts; pullovers; trousers; women’s blouses; men’s shirts; women’s overcoats; women’s dresses; women’s skirts; and women’s suits. EU15 textile and clothing import growth slowed markedly in value after the late 1990s and in three of the last four years imports declined in value terms. The declines in all three cases were due to lower textile imports, reflecting falling demand by a diminishing clothing sector. In 2005 textile and clothing imports declined by 0.7% to Euro66.3 bn (US$82.4 bn). In volume terms they fell for the first time in ten years.

At 7.2 mn tons, they were 3.4% lower than in 2004. Competition among suppliers has intensified in recent years as trade liberalisation has progressed and import prices have dropped. Between 2000 and 2005 the average price of textile imports fell by 21% while the price of clothing imports declined by 24%. In 2005, however, the price falls moderated to only 1.2% in textiles and a mere 0.1% in clothing. Nonetheless, EU producers have found it difficult to match lower import prices in the domestic market. At the same time, exports have been hampered by the continuing high value of the euro against the US dollar. As a result, EU15 textile output was down by 4.8% in volume terms in 2005, having fallen by 5.1% in 2004. Clothing production declined by 8.5% in volume, following a 5.7% fall in 2004.