Imports of woven and knit clothing into the US for the first nine months of 2003 increased by 9.8 over the same period of 2002. Clothing imports totalled US$48,215.5m worth, as against $43,898.4m a year earlier. While the overall trend is good for exporters, the current quarter reflects a significant slowing of the import growth rate. First quarter and second quarter imports were 17.8 and 14.6 higher respectively than in 2002. Third quarter imports were only 3.0 above 2002 levels. Partial information on volume also reflects this trend. Woven apparel imports were up 10.6 on a year-to-date basis, but only 2.5 higher in the third quarter over 2002. Knit apparel imports were 9.0 higher on a year-to-date basis, but up by only 3.5 in the third quarter.
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