ITMF: Global yarn and fabric production weakened in 2003

Yarn output has fallen for 5 consecutive quarters and remains at a post-1998 low. Fabric production has been weakening during the course of 2003 but remains around its post-2000 average level. Global yarn output fell by 0.7 per cent during the quarter, as increased Asian production (+3.4 per cent) was insufficient to offset substantial quarterly declines in Europe (-8.2 per cent) and North America (-9.3 per cent).

On an annual basis, world yarn production was 4.8 per cent lower, with all regions outside Asia curtailing production levels relative to Q3 2002. European output was 2.9 per cent lower year-on-year, while North American yarn production fell by 18.1 per cent.