US’ apparel imports from Ethiopia surged 97.70 per cent to $42.76 million in January 2022 as per the latest OTEXA data. Import of cotton apparels by Ethiopia surged 95.18 per cent Y-o-Y to $27.04 million, while import of MMF apparels grew by 100.57 perb cent to $15.06 million. Kidswear was the topmost product category imported by the US buyers from Ethiopia in January 2022. Imports of kidswear surged 64,39 per cent to $8.04 million while import of women’s slacks surged by 145.45 per cent to $6.64 million.

Exports of men’s cotton trousers also surged by 166.08 per cent to $6 million, despite the US suspended Ethiopia from taking AGOA benefits last year in November. In all, Ethiopia’s garment exports to the US surged by 18 per cent Y-o-Y to $260.73 million in 2021