Plaited fabrics, warp knitted fabrics and mesh fabrics are three primary species of warp knitted fabrics. In contrast with 2008, export earnings of the three products in 2009 have declined to a certain extent. Nonetheless, several months of 2009 witnessed different magnitude of upturning for these products. Plaited fabrics indicating trading surplus The first half year of 2009 has seen plaited fabrics export earnings of $90.38 million dollars, down by 7.96% year-on-year. However, export of plaited fabrics of the first four months have decreased by 8.62% and the decreasing amplitude shrank 0.66%. Averaged export price was $6.53 dollars per meter which is down by 22.35%.(Fig.1)

Fig.1 2008&2009 Half-year plait fabric export comparison

The first half year of 2009 has seen plaited fabrics import earning of $43 million dollars, down by 7.55% year-on-year. However, import of plaited fabrics of the first four months have decreased by 7.06% and the decreasing amplitude keeps expanding. Averaged import price was $32.11 dollars per meter which has increased by 6.71%(Fig.2)

Fig.2 2008&2009 Half-year plait fabric import comparison

Amongst all regions where plaited fabrics are exported, Hongkong and Japan have seen certain decline and Thailand as well as Bangladesh have also seen substantial export plummet while by contrast, export to UKE and Saudi Arabia have increased significantly. Two African countries Benin and Algeria have seen 100% export growth which in another part reflected that China’s plaited fabrics are playing an increasingly important role in Africa.
The exact reason why plaited fabrics outshines other products is that underwear with low price is welcome in EU and America. The consumptive capability of developed countries have been weakened by the global economy downturn and low-priced underwear obviously just caters to this trend. Marketable underwear spurs the export of plaited fabrics accordingly.

Warp knitted fabrics indicating trade surplus

First half year of 2009 has witnessed export earnings of warp knitted fabrics to $139,52 million dollars, declined by 26.84% year-on-year. The declining magnitude is rather striking in contrast with last year, but this magnitude has been narrowed down compared with the first four months decline of 31.4%. Averaged export price was $0.89 dollar per meter, down by 8.25%.(Fig.3)

Fig.3 2008&2009 Half-year warp knitted fabric export comparison

First half year of 2009 has witnessed import earnings of warp knitted fabrics to $67.42 million dollars, declined by 26.39% year-on-year. The declining magnitude keeps enlarging in contrast with the first four months of 2009. Averaged import price was $1.02 dollar per meter, down by 22.14%.(Fig.4)

Fig.4 2008&2009 Half-year warp knitted fabric import comparison

Besides India and United States where warp knitted fabrics are exported, other countries all indicated export decline. Finland has imported over $2.4 million dollars of warp knitted fabrics which has increased by an astounding 2164.6% which reflected the great potential of north European market. Substantial export increase of primary warp knitted fabrics helped to pull China national warp knitted companies out of predicament.

Mesh fabrics indicating trade surplus

Fig.5 2008&2009 Half-year mesh fabric export comparison

First half year of 2009 has witnessed import earnings of mesh fabrics to $46.2 million dollars, declined by23.78% year-on-year which has narrowed down in contrast with the first four months decline 25.25%. Averaged import price was $7.39 dollars per meter, increased by 10.88%.(Fig.6)

Fig.6 2008&2009 Half-year warp knitted fabric import comparison

Mesh fabrics are majorly used in the lining materials of garments, cases or shoes. Europe countries and the United States are the major areas where mesh fabrics are exported. Compared with the export situation in the year 2008, these countries all indicated large import increase which in another part reflected that part of the manufacturing sectors are gradually snapping back from the economy downturn.