The exports of textiles and apparel from Portugal grew by more than 7 percent in September 2013, which took the total growth in the first nine months of 2013 to 2.4 percent, amounting to €3.2 billion, according to a statement from the Textile and Clothing Association of Portugal (ATP).
Home textiles continued to maintain excellent growth at over 9 percent during January to September 2013.
In absolute terms, knitted garments contributed the most to the textile and apparel exports during the nine-month period, with exports exceeding by more than €65 million over exports made during the corresponding period of 2012.
Spain was the largest importer, accounting for about 31 percent of total textile and clothing exports made by Spain during the period under review, but the UK was the fastest growing market with imports worth €289 million, which was about €25 million more than that recorded in 2012.
Compared to a year earlier, Portuguese textiles and garments to Tunisia, Morocco and the US grew by 36 percent, 24 percent and 17 percent, respectively.
Portuguese textiles and clothing exports to non-EU markets increased by more than 9 percent year-on-year during the period under discussion, reflecting the efforts made by various companies’ towards market diversification.
Meanwhile, textiles and clothing imports by Portugal increased by over 4.7 percent year-on-year during January to September 2013. Of which, textile imports grew by 12 percent year-on-year, while imports of finished goods, including home textiles and clothing, fell by 0.6 percent.
The textile and clothing sector trade balance was at a surplus of over €795 million during January-September 2013.
In 2012, Portugal exported textiles and garments worth €4.2 billion, and the industry is now expecting another record exports in 2013.
The Portuguese textile and apparel sector accounts for about 155,000 direct jobs.
