Lace and knitted fabrics market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. market for lace and knitted fabrics, measured in physical volume, contracted from 280.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 242.5 thousand tons in 2022. This overall decline occurred through a series of fluctuations: a sharp drop in 2019 was followed by a partial recovery in 2020 and 2021, before volume fell again in the final year.

Domestic production of these fabrics decreased steadily throughout the period, from 136.2 thousand tons to 119.6 thousand tons. Import volumes, a major supply source, were volatile, starting at 233.1 thousand tons in 2018 and generally trending downward, while exports also varied, with a pronounced dip in 2020.

In contrast, the market's value demonstrated growth after an initial setback. Following a decline to $1.45 billion in 2019, the market value expanded to $1.64 billion by 2022. This increase coincided with a rise in the value of imports, even as physical import volumes fell, indicating a shift toward higher-value products or changing price levels.

Production lace and knitted fabrics in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

The United States saw its production of lace and knitted fabrics decline for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 123.9 K t, marking a 7.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Production of lace and knitted fabrics in the United States dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the value of this output stood at 1 229 M $ US, reflecting a 6.4% fall from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 13.4%, averaging a 4.7% annual decline.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports lace and knitted fabrics from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of lace and knitted fabrics from the United States fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, shipments totaled 67.6 K t, down 21.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 23.5%, with an average annual drop of 8.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 88.8 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 0.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala—collectively made up 59.1% of total U.S. exports of lace and knitted fabrics in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

U.S. exports of lace and knitted fabrics in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume amounted to 671 M $ US, a 20.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports fell by 26.8%, averaging a 9.9% annual decline.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala were the top destinations for U.S. lace and knitted fabrics exports in value terms, with shares of 35.8%, 12.0%, and 9.4%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 57.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports lace and knitted fabrics to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, the United States imported 198.0 K t of lace and knitted fabrics, up 1.8% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12.8%, averaging a 4.5% annual decline. The lowest point was in 2019 at 194.5 K t, while the peak was in 2018 at 233.1 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 16.6%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 2.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China, South Korea, and India were the leading suppliers of lace and knitted fabrics to the United States in volume terms, with shares of 53.1%, 12.5%, and 11.6%, respectively. Combined, they represented 77.3% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of lace and knitted fabrics into the United States declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 895 M $ US, down 9.0% from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 16.5%, with an average annual decrease of 5.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 110 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 3.5%, while the largest decline was in 2019 at 11.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China, South Korea, and Israel remained the primary suppliers of lace and knitted fabrics to the United States in value terms, with shares of 39.4%, 14.5%, and 8.2%, respectively. Together, they constituted 62.2% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020