A report by the International Labor Organization (ILO) reveals, China’s garment exports continue to decline as the country moves away from garment and shoe production. Production diversification to other countries will accelerate post pandemic and spread to other regions like Africa in a significant way, according to a research report.

However, Chinese textiles will continue to be an important factor for the industry in coming years, says a report by Emnetra. China accounted for 40 per cent of world textile exports in 2019 and continues its upward trend, which began about 20 years ago. China remains a major source of apparel and footwear, accounting for 33 per cent of global exports in 2019, but exports have declined from 37 per cent in 2015.

Bangladesh and Vietnam have benefited most from the shift from China. The total share of apparel and footwear exports to the world in both countries was 37 per cent of China’s share in 2019. In contrast, apparel and footwear exports from other countries such as Sri Lanka and India are either constant or even declining as a global export share of these products.