Global Garment Trade Nears $550 Billion as Competition Intensifies
The global garment trade is approaching the $550 billion mark, with knit and woven garments accounting for nearly 60% of global textile exports in 2025, according to the August 2026 edition of The Textiles Observer, published by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).
Global textile exports climbed from around $560 billion in 2006 to $914 billion in 2025. During the same period, knit garment exports nearly doubled from $145.2 billion to $289.1 billion, while woven garment exports rose from $158.5 billion to $257.7 billion.
However, the expansion of global trade has been accompanied by a major shift in manufacturing competitiveness. China continues to lead global textile and garment exports, while Bangladesh and Vietnam have strengthened their positions as major suppliers. Bangladesh moved from 14th place in 2006 to second in 2025, while Vietnam advanced from 21st to third. Together, the three countries accounted for approximately 44% of global textile exports in 2025.
Global Demand Becomes More Diverse
The United States remains the world’s largest textile importer, although its share of global imports declined from 18.9% in 2006 to 13.7% in 2025. Meanwhile, markets across Europe and Asia have gained greater significance, reflecting a more diversified global textile trade landscape.
Cotton Faces Growing Fibre Competition
Cotton continues to hold a strong position across major apparel categories, including cotton T-shirts, jerseys and men’s and women’s trousers and shorts. However, competing fibres have expanded at a faster pace.
Cotton’s share of global fibre demand fell from 68.3% in 1960 to 21.1% in 2025, while synthetic fibres increased their share from 4.6% to 71.7%.
This shift is also evident in garment exports. Cotton knit garment exports grew from approximately US$69.9 billion in 2006 to US$128.3 billion in 2025, but their share declined from 48.3% to 44.5%. Meanwhile, man-made and synthetic knit garment exports increased from US$35.6 billion to US$99.2 billion, lifting their share from 24.6% to 34.4%.
In woven garments, man-made and synthetic fibres surpassed cotton in export value in 2021. The trend highlights that while cotton demand continues to grow, competing fibres are capturing a greater proportion of new market opportunities.
Cotton Quality Starts at the Farm
The August issue also examines cotton contamination challenges, including stickiness and seed-coat fragments, in an article by Dr Marinus (René) van der Sluijs.
Cotton stickiness can disrupt processing, increase production costs and affect fibre and yarn quality. The report notes that 64% of participants in a global study considered stickiness a major fibre defect, while affected cotton origins can face discounts of up to 50%.
Seed-coat fragments create another processing challenge, as fibres attached to fragments can be difficult to remove. They may contribute to spinning end-breakages, higher production costs and dark specks in dyed fabrics.
The report explores detection and measurement techniques alongside practical approaches to minimise the impact of these issues throughout the textile production process.
Textile Industry Enters a New Phase
The latest Textiles Observer highlights a global textile industry being reshaped by shifting manufacturing hubs, diversified consumer markets, intensifying fibre competition and increasing demands for cotton quality.
While cotton remains an important part of the global garment economy, the report underlines the need to improve its competitiveness and capture a greater share of future textile growth.
The August 2026 issue of The Textiles Observer is available through the International Cotton Advisory Committee.
