• SUPPLY: The dislocation of US supply chains from China due to the coronavirus outbreak has opened new export opportunities for Mexico’s apparel industry particularly for knit fabric apparel like socks, sweaters, underwear, and t-shirts, according to industry experts.
• US IMPORTS: Number eighth source of light knit fabric apparel products for the US market, Mexico has ample opportunity to fill the void left by China in the short run given its relatively large textile sector, its geographic location, and the benefits of having a free trade agreement.
• POSITION: “If it is not China, brands will have to find who can manufacture products for them. And that’s where the Mexican apparel industry has a very important opportunity to reposition itself to the taste of American buyers”, said Raul Garcia, former head of Mexican apparel association.
• NUMBERS: In 2019, US imports of knit fabric apparel products from China reached USD 339.1 million according to the UN’s International Trade Center (INTRACEN) statistics. Meanwhile, US imports of the same products from Mexico totaled 22.4 million.
