German clothing exports grew by 17.7 per cent for the full year. Textile exports grew by 2.6 per cent. Exports of the German textile and clothing industry increased totally by 11.3 per cent. Clothing exports to important countries and regions increased. Exports to Russia seem to recover. Exports to the US and UK remained good. However, EU domestic markets remain the most important export channel.

In both textile and clothing sectors foreign turnover was higher than that of domestic sources. This underlines the importance of foreign markets for the two sectors. The EU and other foreign countries are responsible for the turnover plus. Textiles production increased in 2017 by three per cent whereas clothing production contracted by 2.2 per cent.

Manufacturing prices in clothing increased only 0.1 per cent and manufacturing prices for textile products increased slightly by 0.6 per cent. The clothing segment showed growth in all sectors except lingerie. Hosiery and knitting were also in focus as well as work- and professional clothing. These added greatly to the turnover.

Employment in the two sectors increased 0.9 per cent. Employment in the clothing sector increased by 0.8 per cent and in the textile sector by 0.9 per cent.