Philippines’ garment and hard goods exports are expected to grow 15 per cent to about $1.4 billion this year with buyers reinstating cancelled orders. The country is looking at 2021 as a recovery year for garments and hardgoods/furniture and housewares. As per Robert Young, President, Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines (FOBAP) $280 million worth new orders were received by domestic factories.

He said, the 2021 outlook for troubled mid to high fashion items was dim, therefore a price recosting/re-levelling is a must. Only the basics and essentials, such as undergarments, fast fashion are now staying alive. He went on to add, there have been confirmed export orders for soft goods mostly garments worth $200 million for the first quarter. The buyers are Wacoal, Adidas, Ralph Lauren, Ann Taylor, JCPenny, among others. Last year, Philippine exported garments worth $900 million. Bulk or almost 70 per cent orders were from the US, and the rest came from European Union, Canada, Australia, among others.