The exports of textiles and apparel from Portugal increased by 1.8 percent year-on-year to €2.839 billion during the first eight months of the current year, according to figures released by the Textile and Clothing Association of Portugal (ATP).
In August 2013, Portugal exported textiles and clothing valued at €300 million, showing a rise of 2.6 percent over the same month last year, according to the ATP.
The 2.6 percent year-on-year growth in textile and garment exports exceeded the zero variation shown in Portugal’s total exports of goods, released by the statistical institute INE, a day earlier.
Home textiles and other textile items showed a robust growth of 9 percent year-on-year during the month, while exports of yarn and fabrics rose by about 4 percent year-on-year.
Exports of knitted fabric increased by 9 percent year-on-year, while both man-made fibre and garment exports grew at five percent year-on-year, during the month under review.
However, exports of woven fabric from Portugal fell by about 9 percent year-on-year during the month.
On the import front, Portuguese textile and garment imports declined by 3.5 percent year-on-year to €227 million in August 2013. The largest decline in imports was observed in woven garment segment which dropped by 9 percent year-on-year.
In 2012, Portugal exported textiles and garments worth €4.2 billion, and the industry is now expecting another record exports in 2013.
The textile and clothing sector trade balance was at a surplus of over €780 million during January-August 2013.
The Portuguese textile and apparel sector accounts for about 155,000 direct jobs.
