In the 1st quarter of 2011 global yarn and fabric production fell compared to the previous quarter but rose in comparison to the 1st quarter of 2010. The decrease in global yarn production resulted from lower outputs in Asia, Europe and South America.

It has to be noticed here that the reduction of yarn production in Asia in the 1st quarter 2010 is mainly a consequence of lower output in China. Production in the 1st quarter in China is traditionally lower compared to any other quarter as a result of fewer working days due to the Chinese New Year.

It is therefore important to note that compared to the 1st quarter of 2010 China's yarn production increased in the 1st quarter of 2011. Only North America recorded an absolute increase in yarn production in the 1st quarter of 2011.

Global fabric production was down too due to lower output levels in Asia and Europe which could not be offset by higher production in North and South America. Year-on-year global yarn and fabric production continued to grow globally. Only South America recorded lower yarn production in comparison to the 1st quarter 2010.

Global yarn stocks increased in the 1st quarter of 2011 as compared to the previous one due to higher stocks in South America and Asia. Only in Europe yarn stocks were slightly lower. Year-on-year yarn stocks were up in all regions except Europe where they fell slightly. Global fabric inventories were also up worldwide in the 1st quarter of 2011 which was a consequence of higher fabric inventories in Asia, while those in South America, North America and Europe were down.

On an annual basis Asia, North America and Europe recorded higher fabric stocks, but dropped in South America. Yarn and fabric orders in Europe were higher in the 1st quarter 2011 compared to the previous one, while they were down in Brazil. Also in comparison to last year's 1st quarter yarn and fabric orders increased in Europe but dropped in Brazil.

World yarn production dropped by 11.3% in the 1st quarter of 2011 in comparison to the previous one. In Asia, Europe and South America yarn output fell by 12.2%, 2.6% and 0.1%, respectively and rose by 5.1% in North America. Year-on-year yarn production was higher in North America (10.2%), Asia (6.6%) and Europe (1.3%) but fell in South America (0.6%).

Like global yarn also worldwide fabric production dropped by 11.8% due to reduced output levels in Asia and Europe (14.3% and 2.0%, respectively) which could not be offset by increased production in North and South America (13.3% and 5.9%, respectively). In comparison to the 1st quarter of 2010 fabric production rose in all regions. With a jump of 15.7% South America recorded the strongest increase, followed by Europe (3.8%), Asia (3.7%) and North America (3.7%).

Yarn inventories increased worldwide by 2.0% in the 1st quarter of 2011 compared to the previous one. In North America they rose by 11.1% and in Asia by 2.0%, but fell slightly in Europe by 0.3%. On an annual basis global yarn stocks were 7.4% higher. Especially South America's yarn stocks soared by 83.0%, while Asia's rose by 5.3% and Europe's remained almost unchanged (-0.1%).

Yarn and fabric orders in Europe were up by 0.3% and 2.8%, respectively in the 1st quarter of 2011 compared to the previous one. Also year-on-year yarn and fabric orders increased in Europe: 1.1% and 2.0%, respectively. In Brazil the situation was different. Yarn and fabric orders plummeted by -13.4% and 4.7%, respectively in the 1st quarter 2011. On an annual basis, yarn and fabric orders dropped in Brazil by 25.3% and 13.2%, respectively.

Article republished with the kind permission of the ITMF (International Textile Manufacturers Federation)