According to a report prepared by Eurostat (European Statistical Office), compared to 2019, in 2020, the import of clothing to the EU Member States decreased by 14 percent. The collapse was also recorded in the export statistics – compared to 2019, a decrease in its total value by 14 percent was recorded.

Analysts note the huge difference in the balance of trade. It turns out that we lose nearly €40 billion a year on this "transaction". While Community Member States imported €69 billion worth of clothing from outside the EU in 2020, the value of what we shipped was at the same time €30 billion.

By analyzing the historical data collected by Eurostat on the import and export of clothes to and from the EU, it can be easily seen that 2020 was a breakthrough year – this is when the chain of continuous growth was broken. The analysis of historical data shows that from 2010 to 2020, clothing imports increased by a quarter, while exports increased by 64 percent.

The figures from the Eurostat databases clearly show that China is the source of most clothing for Europe. Tons of clothes shipped are worth almost €21 billion, which is about 30 percent of the value of all clothes imported to the countries of the Community. Bangladesh came second (€12 billion, 18 percent) and Turkey (€8 billion, 12 percent) on the lowest step of the podium.

Data from Movinga, which researched 18,000 households in 20 countries indicate that in Poland about 7 out of 10 clothes we have in our wardrobes remain unworn forever. It is even worse in countries such as the United States and Belgium, where the rate is 8 and 9 out of 10.

(300gospodarka)