Global yarn production dropped in Q4/2013 in comparison to the previous quarter as a result of lower output in Asia, South and North America while production in Europe was up. Year-on-year global yarn production was up with all regions – except South America – recording higher output levels. Worldwide yarn stocks rose due to higher inventories in Europe and Asia and despite lower ones in South America. On an annual basis global yarn stocks were up as well in all regions, except in South America. Yarn orders in Europe increased slightly but dropped in Brazil in Q4/2013. Compared to last year's quarter yarn orders were lower both in Brazil and Europe.
Global fabric output was up in Q4/2013 as a consequence of higher production in Europe and Asia and despite lower output in South America. Year-on-year world fabric production rose due to increases in Asia and Europe and despite a drop in South America. Fabric stocks were slightly higher globally as a result of higher inventories in North and South America, while stocks were reduced in Europe and Asia. In comparison to last year's quarter worldwide fabric stocks fell due to lower inventories in South and North America while stocks rose in Asia and Europe. Fabric orders in Brazil and Europe decreased in Q4/2013. On an annual basis fabric stocks were up both in Brazil and Europe. Estimates for yarn production for Q1/2014 are positive in Asia, Europe, North and South America. Estimates for fabric production for Q1/2014 are positive in Asia, Europe and South America and negative in North America. The outlook for yarn production for Q2/2014 is positive in Asia and unchanged in Europe and South America. The outlook for fabric production for Q2/2014 is positive in Asia and unchanged in Europe and South America. In comparison to the previous quarter world yarn output dropped in Q4/2013 by -15.4% due to lower output in Asia (-16.1%), South America (-14.7%) as well as in North America (-6.7%) and despite an increase in Europe (+4.6%). In comparison to Q4/2012 global yarn production rose by +8.7% as a result of higher production levels in Asia (+9.6%), North America (+5.0%), Europe (+0.7%) irrespective of a decline in South America (-6.7%). Compared with the previous quarter global fabric production rose in Q4/2013 by +4.3% with Europe and Asia recording higher outputs of +6.4% and +5.6%, respectively, while South America's production fell by -15.3%. Year-on-year global fabric production was up as well (+3.5%) with Asia recording a production jump of +5.4% and Europe of +2.0%, while South America recorded a slump of -19.8%.
