Patricia Figueroa, executive director of the Chamber of the Textile, Clothing and Free Trade Zone (Camtex), explained to Laprensagrafica.com that "... the sub-segment of the maquila 'is where the basic products are, such as T-shirts and underwear, but it is a segment that has to be taken care of because it is more vulnerable to costs and environmental shocks."

See "El Salvador: How to strengthen the textile sector"

The strong increase that was approved in the minimum wage in December of last year is one of the factors that has had the greatest effect on the cost structure of textile companies.  The increase was 39.8%, that is to say, it went from a monthly salary of $210.90 to about $295.

"... In fact, exports of cotton shirts fell by 10%, since they reported $497.1 million between January and October, $52.8 less than in the same period in 2016. As for underwear, the fall was 6%, with a total of $160.5 million in the same period, $9.6 million less than in 2016."

Source: laprensagrafica.com

More on this topic

El Salvador: The Top 5 Textile Exports in 2017

March 2018

According to the textile industry union, half of the $2.6 billion exported in 2017 corresponded to pullover sweaters, cotton t-shirts, cotton briefs, synthetic fiber t-shirts and synthetic socks.

The Chamber of Textile, Clothing and Free Trade Zones of El Salvador (Camtex) reported that in 2017 the sector exported $2.617 million worth of clothes, $95 million more than was reported in 2016, which is equivalent to an interannual increase of 3.8%. 

El Salvador: Canada as a Customer for the Textile Sector

September 2016

To compensate for the loss of market which is expected once the Transpacific Agreement takes effect, the textile industry intends to resume FTA negotiations with the northern country.

A free trade agreement with Canada would allow the exporting textile companies to enter a market with high potential, since according to the executive director of Camtex, Patricia Figueroa, the country imports more than $14,000 million a year in textiles products and confection of synthetics such and towels, carpets, curtains and tablecloths. "

Honduras: $1.946 billion in Maquila Exports

September 2014

80% of the volume exported by the Honduran maquila sector in the first half of 2014 corresponds to textiles, 15% to harnesses, and the remaining 5% to other goods.

A report by the Central Bank of Honduras (BCH) specifies that when comparing the figure for the first half of this year with the same period of 2013, "... A slight increase of $8.2 million is observed. "

Salvadoran Textile Exports Rebound

October 2011

In the first eight months of the year maquila exports reported an increase in volume of 22.3% and 10.9% in value.

Data from the Central Reserve Bank shows that total exports reached $822.4 million up to August 2011.

"The executive director of the Chamber of the Textiles, Clothing and Free Zones (CAMTEX), Patricia Figueroa, said exports this year have already surpassed the levels recorded in 2008, which was considered to be an excellent year for the sector.