United Kingdom Women Hosiery Imports
In June 2023, approximately 17M pairs of socks, stockings and other women’s hosiery were imported into the UK; increasing by 6.7% against the previous month. In general, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in May 2023 when imports increased by 39% month-to-month. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at 24M pairs in November 2022; however, from December 2022 to June 2023, imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, women hosiery imports soared to $52M (IndexBox estimates) in June 2023. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in May 2023 with an increase of 23% month-to-month. Imports peaked at 71M pairs in November 2022; however, from December 2022 to June 2023, imports remained at a lower figure.
Imports by Country
In June 2023, China (8.9M pairs) constituted the largest supplier of women hosiery to the UK, with a 54% share of total imports. Moreover, women hosiery imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Turkey (4.2M pairs), twofold.
From June 2022 to June 2023, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of volume from China totaled +2.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Turkey (-0.7% per month) and Pakistan (-0.5% per month).
In value terms, the largest women hosiery suppliers to the UK were China ($20M), Turkey ($14M) and Pakistan ($5.2M), with a combined 76% share of total imports.
China, with a CAGR of +2.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.
Import Prices by Country
In June 2023, the women hosiery price stood at $3.1 per pair (CIF, United Kingdom), with an increase of 8.1% against the previous month. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in December 2022 an increase of 18% month-to-month. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $3,470 per thousand pairs. From January 2023 to June 2023, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin: the country with the highest price was Pakistan ($4.0 per pair), while the price for Myanmar ($1.2 per pair) was amongst the lowest.
From June 2022 to June 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+1.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.
