The World Trade Organization (WTO) has recently released a report on the world’s largest clothing exporters, and Indonesia has made it into the top 10. According to WTO data, China maintains its position as the world’s largest garment exporter, with exports valued at USD 176 billion or IDR 2,591 trillion in 2021.
The report also mentions that China has dominated one-third of the total global clothing exports and has become the main supplier to many countries worldwide. Bangladesh and Vietnam are listed as the world’s second and third-largest garment exporters, respectively, when measured by country.
On the other hand, the European Union (EU) is at the top of the list in terms of spending, with import values worth USD 195 billion or IDR 2,870 trillion, which accounts for 34.1% of the total global imports in 2021. The United States follows closely behind, with import values worth USD 106 billion, equivalent to 18.5% of the total imports.
Despite China being the world’s leading manufacturer, the country only imported USD 12 billion or IDR 176.4 trillion worth of clothing in 2021. One of the main reasons why so many garments are bought from countries in this list is that companies outsource production to obtain lower prices due to low wages in these countries.
According to Statista, China is the world’s largest garment producer, with exports reaching USD 176 billion or IDR 2,591 trillion in 2021, contributing to approximately 32.7% of the total global garment exports.
The EU is the second-largest garment producer in the world, with exports valued at USD 151 billion or IDR 2,220 trillion, accounting for approximately 28.1% of the total global garment exports. Bangladesh is the second-largest garment producer by country, with exports valued at USD 34 billion, equivalent to IDR 499.8 trillion, or approximately 6% of the total global garment exports.
Vietnam follows as the third-largest garment producer, with exports valued at USD 31 billion or IDR 455.7 trillion, accounting for approximately 5.8% of the total global garment exports.
Turkey has exports valued at USD 19 billion or IDR 279.3 trillion, contributing to approximately 3.5% of the total global garment exports, and India has exports valued at USD 16 billion or IDR 235.2 trillion, accounting for approximately 3% of the total global garment exports. Malaysia, on the other hand, has exports valued at USD 15 billion or IDR 220.5 trillion, contributing to approximately 2.7% of the total global garment exports.
It is worth noting that Malaysia has recorded the highest growth in export value at 13% between 2010 and 2021. Bangladesh and Vietnam also registered high export growth rates, with 8% and 11% between 2010 and 2021, respectively.
According to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, “The past year and a half have been very challenging for the garment and textile industry, with disrupted supply chains, falling demand, and widespread job losses. Yet, it remains a crucial sector for many countries, particularly in the developing world, and can play a key role in a sustainable, inclusive recovery from the pandemic.”
The garment and textile industry remains an essential sector in many countries, and the global market is expected to continue growing. As the world’s largest producer and exporter of garments, China is likely to remain at the top of the list for years to come, while other countries may rise or fall in rankings depending on economic factors and policies.
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