Which Countries Have The Best Clothing Manufacturers? (Industry Research)

Manufacturers and factories in the apparel industry are spread all over the world. A clothing manufacturer's location is a key consideration for a designer. Multiple challenges can arise in terms of logistics as well as sourcing the right products at the right price.

In this article, we have put together a list of countries with the best clothing manufacturers. These countries boast robust textile mills, availability of low-cost labor, and rich history of textile exports.

Here are the top 10 countries with the leading cloth manufacturing companies globally:

1. China

China currently holds the top position among countries with the best cloth manufacturers. The country witnessed a renaissance during the 20th century as its textile industries proliferated. 
As per a report by the GAC of China, the total export value of garment exports in 2021 closed at a whopping $170.3 billion. 
China produces the finest quality raw materials and ready-made products. Low-cost production, modern industrial structure, and advanced machinery also play an important role in fuelling the textile industry's growth. 
The following categories contribute majorly to the growth of China's textile industry:

Silk fabrics

Cotton fabrics

Chemical fabrics 

Knitted and wool fabrics

Fiber 

Textile machinery

Garments The Chinese Government also understands the contribution of exports to stimulate the domestic economy, which is a big reason why they're regularly investing in the industry's growth. Consequently, China's textile industry has been growing at a rapid rate. 

2. Bangladesh

With low labor costs and the availability of surplus labor, Bangladesh's clothing industry has grown its revenues from $19 billion to $34 billion in the last seven years. In addition to the above numbers, Bangladesh's garment exports have also grown to a whopping $3.366 billion in 2022. 
This was in stark contrast to July 2021, when its readymade garment export value was estimated at $2.78 billion. Bangladesh is the second-largest textile exporter (for western fashion brands) that excels in fulfilling bulk orders.Buoyed by safe working conditions for workers and value chain responsibility, the readymade garments industry in Bangladesh is a significant contributor to its success. 

3. Vietnam

Considered one of the top textile exporters countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has been renowned for being a high-quality garment manufacturing hub. Similar to Bangladesh, Vietnam's garment manufacturing prowess is down to two main factors:

The availability of cheap, yet skilled labor 

Low production costs

Manufacturers from Vietnam mainly export to countries like the US, Japan, and South Korea. As per data published by Fibre2Fashion, garment exports in Vietnam stood at $32.750 billion, growing by 9.9% since 2020.The country has carved a niche of its own, with its production of fabrics and garment dyes being utilized by brands across the globe.

4. India 

Among the oldest textile industries known to mankind, India is the fifth-largest textile hub in the world. India has an export value of a staggering $33 billion as of August 2022 and is also the second-largest producer of cotton. 
With a large-scale supply of fabrics, India has successfully carved a niche for producing quality silk. Thanks to the adoption of technology, textile manufacturing in India has emerged as a force to reckon with.

5. Italy

Italy's apparel and textile export value was estimated to be around $22.35 billion as of 2020. Textile manufacturers in Italy are blessed with an abundance of natural fabrics. The linen, cotton, and silk sourced from Italy are demanded heavily across the world. If you're looking for clothing manufacturers placing style and technical excellence at the forefront, Italy is the place to be. With innovative designs coming out of Italy regularly, the country is sure to remain a popular textile manufacturing hub.

6. Turkey

Turkey is among the fastest-growing cloth manufacturing hubs. It is a crucial cog in the global supply chain, being the seventh largest apparel exporter globally. In 2022, the ready-to-wear garments industry in Turkey made exports worth $8.8 billion in just five months from January to May. Home to production facilities of top European brands, Turkey has also become a popular choice owing to its proximity to the European market. Another big reason is the low cost of production associated with garment manufacturing in Turkey. With an export value to the tune of $6.8 billion during the first 6 months of 2022, Turkey boasts a strong textile manufacturing ecosystem.

7. Germany

Germany has a fast-growing fashion industry that employs over 120,000 people across the country. Even though its cloth manufacturing industry is small, the country exported garments to the tune of 127.6 billion euros in July 2022.Germany also has an export value of 34.75 billion euros, making it the fourth-largest textile exporter in the world.
Over the years, cloth manufacturers in Germany have carved a niche of their own. They export high-quality synthetic yarn, man-made fibers, and knitted clothing. Mostly consisting of small and medium-scale manufacturing units, Germany has strict standardization policies for every category.

8. United States

The textile manufacturing and export industry is a key contributor to the US economy. American-made fibers and apparel shipments contribute $76 billion, making the US a key manufacturing hub. 
Over the years, the US has emerged as a leading manufacturer of textiles, selling the following categories of products:

Raw material

Fabrics

Yarn 

Domestic furnishings

Apparel The US is not only a fledgling textile manufacturing hub but also one of the leading countries when it comes to textile research and development. With large-scale technological investments, textile manufacturing has grown exponentially in the US. 

9. Indonesia

The textile and clothing industry is an important part of the Indonesian economy. As of 2019, this industry accounts for 11% of the total manufacturing exports in the country owing to a skilled workforce. While foreign investment has driven textile manufacturing in Indonesia, the affordable wage and easy relocation make it easy for SMEs to set up shops. Although there have been challenges, the Indonesian Government is actively promoting the industry. Known for exporting high-quality cotton, Indonesia is steadily growing into a textile manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia. 

10. Pakistan

The textile industry is the biggest contributor to manufacturing in Pakistan. Considered the eighth-largest textile exporter in Asia, Pakistan has over 45% of the population engaged in this industry. The country is the fourth-largest producer of cotton globally. It also boasts robust spinning machinery. Brands like Zara, H&M, Puma, and Nike have exclusive partnerships with various local textile mills in Pakistan. Currently, there are six main categories of textile production being undertaken in Pakistan. They are as follows:

Processing

Filament yarn production

Weaving

Spinning

Garment manufacturing

Textile printing

Apart from cotton, Pakistan's manufacturers also produce extensive quantities of filament yarn, synthetic fibers, wool, and artificial silk. 

Conclusion

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