EU’s long winters dampen apparel exports in Q 1

Retail demand in the European Union for Sri Lankan apparel was at a mere 5 per cent increase in the first quarter of this year compared to 2017. This was a drop in expectations on the back of the GSP plus trade facility that resumed in July 2017.

Sri Lanka Exporters Association (SLEA) President Felix Fernando told the Business Times on Friday that due to the long winter season in Europe the industry had observed a drop in retail demand for apparel as a result of which local exporters were unable to reach the expected increase in sales of 12 per cent. The industry was only capable of achieving a 5 per cent growth in apparel exports during the Q1 compared to the same period last year.

He noted that spring garments could not be released as most of the Europeans were slow on purchasing clothing and would rather remain indoors than go out shopping.

Reports have stated that Europe was in the grip of a “cold snap, which has sent temperatures plunging below their usual late-February levels, and sparked heavy snow showers in unusually southerly spots like Rome.” And expectations are that there could be severe weather with flooding and rains in Europe this month.

spring garments could not be released as most of the Europeans were slow on purchasing clothing and would rather remain indoors than go out shopping.