Egypt's textile & apparel export likely to fall in 2021

Textile and apparel exports from Egypt are likely to see a decline this year as several manufacturers, especially in the cotton textiles industry, have reduced production. Further, almost 30 per cent of the nation’s textile and apparel factories are shut down due to disruption in supply and value chain, and economic downfall, the government said recently.

Egypt is a well-known player in the textiles and apparel industry, especially in cotton textiles with higher staple lengths. Approximately 4,500 textiles and apparel industries are operating in the country. The textiles and apparel industry of Egypt has given employment to 1.3 million people. The textiles and apparel industry of the country contributes over 10 per cent to the total exports approximately.

The textiles and apparel exports of Egypt declined 29 per cent to $2,313.38 million in 2020 (2019: $3,259.71 million). The downfall might further continue with exports expected to drop 15 per cent to $1,966.37 million in 2021.

US, Turkey, Germany, Italy, and Spain were the top five export destinations in 2019, however UK entered in the list replacing Italy in 2020.

Egypt is a major exporter of apparels, home textiles and fabrics. The country also exports yarn and fibres in comparatively smaller amount. The dip in country’s textiles and apparel exports has been observed from April 2020 to June 2020. It recovered in the following months but again declined in November 2020 and December 2020.