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Consumer, Food & RetailEuropean UnionUpdated 4 Nov 2026

Apparel Market 2026: trade data and key figures

The EU imported €6.86 billion of apparel and related goods (CN 61091000) from outside the EU in 2025. That was 37% more than in 2020. Bangladesh was the largest outside supplier.

Edited by the Stratum Market Research editorial team. Updated 4 Nov 2026.

Headline figure

6.86EUR billion

EU imports from outside the EU, 2025

Extra-EU imports of CN 61091000, EUR million20202025 Eurostat, 4 Nov 2026

+37 % change

Extra-EU imports of CN 61091000 were up 37% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€5.00 billion), calculated from Eurostat values.

Eurostat

2.49 EUR billion

EU exports of CN 61091000 to countries outside the EU were worth €2.49 billion in 2025.

Eurostat

8.39 EUR billion

Trade between EU member states in CN 61091000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €8.39 billion in 2025.

Eurostat
ChartExtra-EU imports of CN 61091000, EUR million
Extra-EU imports of CN 61091000, EUR million02,0004,0006,0008,0002020: 4,997 EUR million4,99720202021: 5,370 EUR million20212022: 7,527 EUR million20222023: 6,291 EUR million20232024: 6,544 EUR million20242025: 6,857 EUR million6,8572025

Source: Eurostat

Why this market is moving now

  • Extra-EU import value moved +37% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
  • Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.

What this market covers

Clothing for men, women and children, made from woven and knitted fabric. Buyers are retailers, brands and online shoppers.

Typical segments

  • Menswear
  • Womenswear
  • Childrenswear
  • Sportswear

Who buys

  • Retailers
  • Fashion brands
  • Online shoppers

Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU

CountryImport value
Bangladesh3,497.3 EUR million
Türkiye837.8 EUR million
India701.9 EUR million
China413.2 EUR million
Pakistan215.0 EUR million
Viet Nam193.0 EUR million

Key figures

Each figure links to the page it came from.

FigureValueYearSource
The EU imported €6.86 billion of products under CN code 61091000 (T-shirts, singlets and other vests of cotton, knitted or crocheted) from outside the EU in 2025.6.86 EUR billion2025Eurostat
Extra-EU imports of CN 61091000 were up 37% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€5.00 billion), calculated from Eurostat values.+37 % change2025Eurostat
EU exports of CN 61091000 to countries outside the EU were worth €2.49 billion in 2025.2.49 EUR billion2025Eurostat
Trade between EU member states in CN 61091000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €8.39 billion in 2025.8.39 EUR billion2025Eurostat
Bangladesh was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 61091000 to the EU in 2025, with €3.50 billion, or 51% of extra-EU imports.3.50 EUR billion2025Eurostat
EU exports of CN 61091000 to the United States were €179.3 million in 2025.179.3 EUR million2025Eurostat
The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 61091000 was €14.68 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight.14.68 EUR per kg2025Eurostat
Italy was the largest EU exporter of CN 61091000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €737.1 million.737.1 EUR million2025Eurostat
The EU had 83,803 enterprises in NACE class C1413 (Manufacture of other outerwear) in 2023.83,803 enterprises2023Eurostat
EU enterprises in NACE class C1413 had net turnover of €44.80 billion in 2023.44.80 EUR billion2023Eurostat
NACE class C1413 employed 420,000 people across the EU in 2023.420,000 persons employed2023Eurostat
The US had 2,474 private establishments in NAICS 315250 (Cut and sew apparel manufacturing (except contractors)) in 2025.2,474 establishments2025U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
NAICS 315250 employed an average of 42,206 people in US private industry in 2025.42,206 jobs2025U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Average annual pay in US NAICS 315250 was $66,822 in 2025.66,822 USD per year2025U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What the full report covers

Illustration of a report page with its five main parts numbered12345
  1. 1

    Executive summary

    The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.

  2. 2

    Market size and outlook

    History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.

  3. 3

    Segments and regions

    Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.

  4. 4

    Company profiles

    The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.

  5. 5

    Data and method

    Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.

  1. 01Executive summary
    The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it
  2. 02Market definition and scope
    What is in and out of the European Union market
  3. 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
    Historical series and growth rates
  4. 04Outlook to 2031
    Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions
  5. 05Rules, policy and deadlines
    Regulation and programmes that change demand
  6. 06Drivers and barriers
    What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment
  7. 07Prices, costs and margins
    Unit economics where public data allows
  8. 08Competitive landscape
    8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves
  9. 09Opportunities and risks
    For new entrants, suppliers and investors
  10. 10Method and sources
    Every assumption and source, listed

Included with the full report

  • PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
  • Excel data pack
  • Ready-to-use charts
  • Method note and assumptions
  • Written to order in 5 working days

Frequently asked questions

How big is the EU apparel market?

There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €6.86 billion of goods under CN 61091000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €2.49 billion.

Where does the EU import apparel from?

Bangladesh was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were Türkiye, India, China.

What is the average import price of apparel in the EU?

Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €14.68 per kilogram for CN 61091000 in 2025.

Which EU countries export the most apparel?

Italy led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Germany.

How many US companies are in the apparel industry?

BLS counts 2,474 private establishments in NAICS 315250 (Cut and sew apparel manufacturing (except contractors)), the closest official industry.

How many EU companies are in the apparel industry?

Eurostat counts 83,803 enterprises in NACE class C1413 (Manufacture of other outerwear).

Sources and method

The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.

  1. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 61091000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 6857448550
  2. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 61091000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 4996736146; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 6857448550
  3. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 61091000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2490083924
  4. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 61091000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 8394161523
  5. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 61091000, partner BD, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3497279110
  6. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 61091000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 179348880
  7. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 61091000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 6857448550, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 4670432
  8. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter IT, product 61091000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 737095514
  9. Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1413, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 83803
  10. Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1413, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 44800
  11. Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1413, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 420000
  12. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 315250, 2025 (2026-11-04)QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 315250, annual_avg_estabs 2474
  13. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 315250, 2025 (2026-11-04)QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 315250, annual_avg_emplvl 42206
  14. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 315250, 2025 (2026-11-04)QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 315250, avg_annual_pay 66822

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