Firstly, export data has turned positive again after 7 months of year-on-year growth.
According to the latest data released by the General Administration of Customs on January 12, in US dollars, textile and clothing exports in December 2023 reached 25.27 billion US dollars, an increase of 2.6% and a month on month increase of 6.8%. Among them, textile exports increased by 3.5% year-on-year, and clothing exports increased by 1.9%.
In the textile foreign trade of 2023, those who have personally participated in it are believed to have a deep understanding. After visiting the market for a whole year, most textile enterprises have seen a reduction in their foreign trade orders, and if they can maintain the same level as the previous year, they have already surpassed the vast majority of their peers.
From the data, it can also be seen that in 2023, China's textile and clothing exports reached 293.64 billion US dollars, a year-on-year decrease of 8.1%. The data growth in December may be due to differences in the timing of the Chinese New Year and public health policies, but the partial recovery of overseas markets cannot be ignored.
Secondly, the diversified international market pattern is accelerating its formation.
Data shows that at present, the annual export volume of the textile industry to countries jointly building the "the Belt and Road" has accounted for more than 50%, and the export to some countries, such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Algeria and other countries, is outstanding.
In recent years, China's textile industry has undergone dramatic changes, with the production side, industrial structure, and sales side changing day by day. Due to the expansion of the Russian market, northern cities like Harbin have shown new vitality; The increase in exchanges with Central Asia and the new development of Xinjiang have led to the establishment of the Xinjiang Free Trade Zone... The transfer of manufacturing capacity to the central and western regions is a firsthand experience for many textile workers. The economic development of these places can also drive the expansion of local consumer markets.
In 2024, these changes will only continue to accelerate.
In just over half a month after 2024, various unexpected events have emerged around the world, some far away from us, while others can give some textile workers a firsthand experience.
When it comes to the Israeli Palestinian conflict and the Russia Ukraine war, many textile workers may feel that it has little impact, but when it comes to the fluctuations in crude oil and the rise in raw material prices caused by it, they can feel the pain on the skin. Not to mention that after the Red Sea incident, some freight prices have increased by 600%. If there are textile workers with related business, they can feel the trouble of "adding money".
2024 is still the election year for the United States, but as a global economic leader, it is caught in a two party struggle. Both sides have reasons not to lose, and various bottom line measures are constantly emerging. While they are happy to eat melon, they must also prevent risks from spilling over.
Economic issues are the main cause.
In fact, it is normal for such a situation to be constantly changing. When the world economy is growing rapidly, everyone can make a profit. Naturally, you and I are good, and even if there are conflicts, they can be easily alleviated. Especially in developed countries that have mastered technology and discourse power, they occupy the largest share of the cake, which naturally reflects the satisfaction of national welfare, people's happiness in life, and consumers are willing to consume, looking happy and harmonious.
But in the past two years, the world economy has stagnated and started to enter the stock market. Without increment, the game can easily become a zero sum game, and past allies may also become opponents, gradually breaking the lower limit.
The increment in the world is not without it, otherwise there would be no such thing as a "BRICS country". However, it has finally developed and people do not want to be reaped anymore. Returning to the bitter days of the past, they are seeking a new order, and the unprecedented great changes in the world have formed like this.
Speaking of the textile industry, the traditional Western market is still the largest piece of cake in foreign trade exports. However, due to economic reasons, it is difficult to increase the quantity of this cake in the short term. We can only focus on quality, and as the global economy deteriorates, policy risks are increasing. If you consider the increment, as reflected in the export data of the previous two years, the countries jointly building the "the Belt and Road" are becoming more and more prominent, and the proportion of exports is getting higher and higher, which is a choice for the future.
In addition, given the increasing number of black swan incidents, the term that textile industry professionals need to pay the most attention to in foreign trade exports in 2024 is still "risk".
