Prospects for the Textile and Clothing Industry in Mexico, 2020

Mexico’s textile and clothing industry covers the entire production chain--from cotton growing and man-made fibre production to the manufacture of yarn, fabric, finished clothing, and accessories. The industry employs an impressive 639,000 workers directly and provides livelihoods for many more people indirectly in support activities. Mexico is a key supplier of textiles and clothing to the USA and it sends a large proportion of its textile and clothing exports to the USA. However, it faces fierce competition from China, which remains the largest supplier of textiles and clothing to the US market. Moreover, Mexican textile and clothing imports from China have become a significant force in Mexico’s domestic market.

The position of Mexico in the US import market has become more stable following the signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is expected to enter into force in 2020. The industry is also seeking to expand its reach in other markets--including EU countries and the UK. In addition, there is scope for higher sales in the domestic market. Mexico has a population of 129 mn people who are becoming increasingly prosperous. Also, large proportions of this total are in younger age groups who tend to spend more on clothing than their older counterparts do. This report looks at the development of the textile and clothing industry in Mexico, its size and structure, and its production and consumption of fibres, textiles and clothing.

The report also features a geographical, political and economic profile; a detailed look at the country's imports and exports of textiles and clothing and its domestic market; a review of the policies and investment incentives provided by the Mexican government; an analysis of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the textile and clothing industry; an appraisal of the country's infrastructure and human resources, and an analysis of how these affect the textile and clothing industry; and an examination of the industry’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT).