Last year Central America imported $1.467 billion worth of clothing and clothing accessories, the highest value in the last six years, registering a 15% increase compared to 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Apparel and Clothing Accessories in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In an industry fair to be held in May in Guatemala, organizers expect to generate around $700 million in trade deals.
The Apparel Sourcing Show will be held in Guatemala on the days from the 15th to the 17th of next month. This costume and textiles fair will be backed by buyers and suppliers from Brazil, Spain, Turkey, the USA and China.
High potential for online shopping in China has brought up opportunities for segments such as bathing suits, where 60% are imported products.
From a statement issued by PROCOMER:
Japan is one of the main entry points to the Asian region and is also a fashion leader, an industry worth approximately $110,000 million. According to a report by ProColombia, Japan imports more than 60% of its swimsuits and it was also found that consumers pay higher prices for these products, making it an attractive market to service.
In 2011 the country imported $251 million worth of clothes, an increase of 12% compared to the previous year.
Examples of some of the data in the report:
Imports of men and childrens shirts increased by 46% between 2010 and 2011, going from $18.1 million to $26.5 million imported in 2011.
Meanwhile, imports of suits, ensembles, jackets (coats), dresses, skirts, skirt-shorts,trousers, breeches, and shorts, and shorts for women and girls increased by 13% between 2010 and 2011, and represented the largest increase in monetary level, going from $66 million to $74.7 million imported in 2011.