Domestic production in the German textile and clothing sectors in October decreased. Textiles fell 3.4 per cent and clothing by 2.7 per cent. Total imports increased over the last 10 months by one per cent against the same period of 2017. Total exports in October increased by 5.6 per cent mainly as a result of the increasing seasonal clothing exports. Import surplus is 8.8 per cent lower than in 2017.

The two sectors on an average employ 0.5 per cent less people than in 2017. Clothing has seen a fall of four per cent while textile enterprises employ 1.2 per cent more people. Working hours fell by one per cent against the same period of 2017. Textiles have increased working hours by 0.8 per cent whereas clothing working hours have dropped by 4.7 per cent.

Production prices increased slightly, for textiles by 0.9 per cent and clothing by 0.7 per cent. October proceeds of clothing retail contracted 1.3 per cent below the 2017 level. Total German retail volume increased by 3.1 per cent.

Raw material imports sank in October by seven per cent despite increasing raw material prices. The forecast for the German economy as a whole is negative with the trade crisis and increasing raw material prices.