Malaysia’s apparel exports to Europe are likely to increase in 2022, after registering a downward trend in the previous years.

It exported apparel worth $180.083 million to Europe in the first nine months of 2022 and the figure is expected to cross $225 million for the entire 2022. Malaysia had shipped apparel worth $193.685 million in 2021 to the continent. Exports to Europe witnessed a downward trend since 2017 when they were noted at $278.209 million. The exports peaked at $22.823 million in May 2022 and bottomed out at $15.886 million in September 2022.

In terms of value, the trousers and shorts category was the largest within apparel with 13 per cent of the total apparel exports. Jerseys, T-shirts, innerwear, coats, shirts, sportswear, ensembles, dresses, and nightwear were among the top ten apparel products exported from Malaysia to Europe. Accessories exports to Europe in 2021 were 17 per cent of the total exports of Malaysia.

The country’s textile and apparel industry is targeting the higher end of the global value chain with diversified production of higher value-added products. The industry has also implemented the latest automation and technology in its manufacturing and distribution, while actively seeking business collaboration with foreign companies and undertaking new R&D activities to further strengthen its competitiveness in the global market.