World production of yarn and fabric. © ITMF

Global yarn production increased by 17% between the final quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2019, according to ITMF, the International Textile Manufacturers Federation. Higher output levels where observed in Asia (+18%), Brazil (+18%), the US (+3.2%) and Europe (+1.6%). The overall Asian result is due to a 27% increase in Chinese yarn production, which outperformed the contraction registered in Japan (-1.7%), India (-3.1%) and South Korea (-9.2%).

A decreasing trend has further been observed in South Africa (-5.3%) and Egypt (-7.9%). Forecasts for the second quarter of 2019 are optimistic in Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Turkey.

Fabric production

Global fabric production increased between the fourth quarter of 2018 to the first quarter of 2019 by 3.8%. This reflects an output raise of 19% in Brazil and an overall 3.6% improvement in Asian countries. Europe saw its production shrink by 0.85% with the biggest drop registered in Spain (-10.1%). A strong decrease of 42% was also witnessed in Egyptian fabric production. The world output level now reaches 88% of its fourth quarter of 2018 level.

Output levels are expected to further decrease in the second quarter of 2019 in Asia, Africa, and Brazil, stay constant in the US and increase in Europe. Production should stagnate in the third quarter of 2019 in all regions but Asia, which should register an improvement. The global fabric stock level has stagnated between the fourth quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2019. This resulted from raises registered in Egypt (16%) and Brazil (3.3%) and decreases of 1% to 2% observed in Asia, Europe and the US.

Stocks

Global yarn stocks increased by 6.3% worldwide. This results from a 27% improvement in Egypt, 7.7% raise in Brazil, and 3.8% increase in Asia. The latter is the consequence of stock growth in Japan and India, stability in Pakistan and decrease in Korea, and Chinese Taipei. Altogether, yarn stocks reached 97% of their previous year’s level for the same quarter. Global yarn orders increased by 12, led by Brazil (+18%), Egypt (+11%), and Asia (+9%).

In first quarter of 2019, global fabrics stocks were 1% above their first quarter of 2018. Global fabric orders have dropped by -19% in the first quarter of 2019, led by a decrease of 32% in Egypt and 25% in Brazil. Global fabric orders were 8% above their 2018 level.

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