Summary of Thai Textile and Garment Export/Import

 of  January-March 2002

During the first quarter of  the Thai textile export and import in this year has been decreased approximately 12.59% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. The export value of Thai textile and garment of this quarter is US$1,140.2 million, while the value of last year was US$1,304.4 million. The textile products that decreased in this period consist of garment, fabric and yarn, embroidery and lace, shawls, scarves, mufflers, viels, other made up articles, dress patterns. However, the textile products that increased in this period consist of household textile, man-made filament and staple fibres, fishing nets as well as other textiles.

 

When considering by item, we found that the garment category which is US$582 million, at rank 4th of the total export of every item, equals 17.45% while the value of last year was US$705 million. The decreased in textile total export value has been affected from the American Attack in September 11th can cause the reducing of import textile product from Thailand.  Moreover, According to China have been the member of WTO this can cause to increase the high competition in the world market. As well as the Non-tariff Barriers and discipline of WTO that affect Thailand to adjust the competitive potential and prepare ourselves to deal with textile liberalization in year 2005.

         The USA has still been Thailand’s major market with highest value of US$ 400.7 million or 35.14% of the whole value. Decreasing from US$462 million approximately 13.27% from the corresponding period of the last year. Second rank is Japan, which has value equal to US$86.5 million or 7.58% of the whole. Others rank consist of United Kingdom, Germany and United Arab Emirates. Most of our export products compose of ready-made garment, fabric and yarn, man-made fibres, household textile, and other textiles whereas our competitors in the major markets are the ASEAN countries such as China and Indonesia.

On the other hand, the most of import value of textile decreased such as clothes and clothing accessories, nonwovens, textile fibers, yarn and fabric. Significantly in fabric, decreased approximately 15.78% or US$156.7 million when compare with the last year. Furthermore, import of textile’s machinery of first quarter increased from US$103.3 million to US$4105.4 million compare with the previous year. It has indicated that the import value of textile’s machinery increases 2.03%. This can cause from the developing of technology in Thailand as well as the learning in new innovation to improve their skill of Thailand’s expert.

 

Remarkable :

The Thai textile and garment export/import of year 2002 was delayed because Department of Business Economics had adjust their structure of export product.