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Overview of textile exports from Vietnam to the EU in the period 2018-2022

21/12/2023    21

The EU has been one of the most important export markets of Vietnam’s textile for many years.  

For turnover, Vietnam’s textile exports to the EU recognized considerable growth for the last 5 years, increasing from USD 5.14 billion in 2018 to USD 7.3 billion in 2022 (ITC Trade Map). Average export growth rate of finished textile products from Vietnam to the EU for period of 2018-2022 reached 10.9%, of which export value in 2023 achieved an enormous growth rate of 24.4%. 

Despite stable growth, market prospects of textile in the EU have much room for continuous growth because in consideration of the market share, Vietnam’s exports of finished textile goods to the EU only accounts for 3.3% of the EU’s total imports. Therefore, coupled with making effective use of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, enforcement of the European Green Deal in the production, and export of textiles to the EU is also the key for Vietnam’s textile to materialize this prospect.

Figure – Vietnam’s exports of finished textile products to the EU for period of 2018-2022

Source: Collection of VCCI Research Group form ITC Trademap, 2023

For market, although Vietnamese finished textile products are present in almost all EU Member States, they only focus on several key markets. In 2022, Vietnam exported these products with the biggest volume to markets: Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain and Belgium, etc. These are also the markets where consumers have the leading green awareness and consumption habits in the EU. Therefore, enforcement of green textiles is not only for overcoming EU’s mandatory green standards but also meeting the requirements for accessing and maintaining this important customer set.  

Table  1 - Vietnam’s export of finished textile products to some EU countries in 2022

 Markets

 Export turnover (USD millions)

 Proportion (%)

 Germany

 2,187.94

 30.1%

 France

 1,493.97

 20.5%

 Netherlands

 697.17

 9.6%

 Spain

 651.80

 9.0%

 Belgium

 594.62 

8.2%

Source: Collection of VCCI Research Group form ITC Trademap, 2023

For products, the main exported products of Vietnam’s textiles to the EU are garments (clothes and clothing accessories), accounting for over 94% of total exports. This is also the group of fast fashion - the subject of many measures, regulations in the European Green Deal.

Table 2 - Top 10 of EU’s the most imported textile products from Vietnam in 2022

 Products name

 Export            turnover to the EU

 (USD million)

 Top 5 biggest supply to the   EU

Women’s or girls’ Overcoats, riding coats, sleeveless jackets, hooded jackets, from man-made fiber (not knitted or crocheted)– HS 620240

 580.47

China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia

Men’s or boys’ overcoat, riding coats, sleeveless jackets, hooded jackets, from man-made fiber (not knitted or crocheted)  – HS 620140

 515.77

China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia

Men’s or boys’ trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts, from synthetic fiber (not knitted or crocheted) – HS 620343

 462.57

China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Turkey, Laos

Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles, knitted or crocheted– HS 611030

 310.60

China, Bangladesh, Turkey, Cambodia, Myanmar,  Vietnam (6)

T-shirts, singlets and other vests, of cotton, knitted or crocheted– HS 610910

294.60

Bangladesh, Turkey, India, China, Vietnam

Women’s and girls’ trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts, of synthetic fibers – HS 610463

 281.48

China, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam, Turkey

Women’s and girls’ trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts, of synthetic fibers, (not knitted or crocheted)– HS 620463

 259.35

China, Turkey, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Morocco

T-shirts, singlets and other vests, knitted or crocheted (not of cotton) – HS 610990

 256.26

China, Turkey, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia

Brassière, of textile materials, elastic or inelastic, knitted or crocheted – HS 621210

 254.78

China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia

Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles, of cotton, knitted or crocheted – HS 611020

 237.01

Bangladesh, China, Turkey, Parkistan, Cambodia, Vietnam (7)

Source: Collection of VCCI Research Group form ITC Trademap, 2023

Vietnam’s main competitors of textiles in the EU markets include China, Bangladesh, Turkey and several ASEAN countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, etc. Some of them have quick and aggressive moves for transition to “green textile” to adapt European Green Deal, and therefore, Vietnam cannot be late in this transition.

Source: Report "EU Green Deal and Vietnam's Exports - The case of the agricultural, food and textile industries" – Center for WTO and International Trade

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