Worldwide clothing production continues to rise

A new report states the world's clothing and textile production is continuing year-on-year growth, with emerging economies leading the way. While the latest figures support forecasts for a "modest" rise in total world manufacturing growth in 2013,

apparel and textile output in the quarter is lower than it was in the first three months of the year, Just-Style reports.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) forecasts that global manufacturing output will grow by 2.7 percent in 2013 as recovery begins in Europe and higher demand is seen across industrialised nations.

However, while this compares to growth of 2.2 percent in 2012, UNIDO warns that unemployment and lack of consumer confidence continue to pose a serious challenge to industrial growth in many European countries.

World manufacturing rose 2.2 percent in the second quarter of 2013, up from the 1.3 percent booked in Q1 compared to the same period last year. Q1's figures were significant as they marked the first rise after nearly three years of a downward trend.

Textile production rose 4.8 percent in Q2 compared with the same period last year, thanks to a 6.3 percent rise in developing countries.

Apparel and fur output rose 3.7 percent year-on-year, with an 8.9 percent rise in developing countries partially offset by a decline of 7.4 percent in the industrialised nations. Production of leather, leather products and footwear climbed 4.6 percent on a year earlier, it slipped 0.6 percent when compared to Q2.

Global Manufacturers on Growth Path

UNIDO highlighted that for the first time since the start of the current recession, industrialised regions of East Asia, North America and Europe, together with developing and emerging industrial economies, are simultaneously on a growth path.

Signs of recovery have been seen in Europe, although the current pace of growth is fragile, according to the report. Manufacturing output rose by 2.6 percent in Germany compared to 0.7 percent in the UK.

"In general, recent figures indicate that the European economy is emerging from recession and industrial production is expected to rise in coming months. At the same time, continued fiscal austerity measures, tight credit conditions and unemployment are still high in many countries making the current recovery in Europe is fragile," the report noted.

Developing and emerging industrial economies maintained relatively higher growth of 7.1 percent in Q2, mainly as a result of growth in China. Manufacturing output in other major emerging economies, such as Brazil, Mexico and Turkey, grew more slowly.

Image: Production thread