Taiwan's wool textile industry activity during 2007 was characterised by poor results in Q1, followed by marginal advances in output for Q2 and Q3.

Annual imports of raw wool (greasy and scoured) were lower in 2007 (Taiwan is Australia's 5th largest greasy wool customer). Lower raw wool imports by Taiwan mainly reflected the more recent long-term decline in Taiwan's domestic wool carbonizing rather than wool combing activity. Wool top output for Taiwan was estimated to have been higher for 2007, after a mixed and sporadic year for orders.

Wool top exports did show some weakening in the face of stiff international competition by China, although Q4 2007 did see some improvement in exports after two quarters of decline.

Japan is now firmly established as Taiwan's largest export destination for wool top with exports to that country growing moderately in 2007, whilst those to South Korea dropped. Other export markets to see major growth during 2007 were China, Iran and Turkey.

Considering Taiwan's population of nearly 23 million, domestic apparel wool consumption at retail level remains relatively small.

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© The Woolmark Company 2008

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